Minister visits Local Enterprise Office in Mayo
MINISTER of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neale Richmond has visited the Mayo Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Castlebar.
His visit also included a trip to the Leeson Enterprise Centre in Westport and ATU Mayo, where he delivered the keynote address at a human resources management and leadership event.
In Castlebar, he met members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.
Said Minister Richmond: “I always enjoy meeting some of the brave entrepreneurs who, with the assistance of the Local Enterprise Offices, have taken those steps to create new businesses.
“Last year, the Mayo LEO supported 195 companies who employed over 1,200 people, which is a testament to the quality of the supports on offer from the LEO team.”
Minister Richmond was introduced to representatives from several local businesses that have been assisted by the LEO, including Mary Corrigan, owner of Noo Chocolates who produce award-winning handmade luxury chocolates and supply high end retailers, hotels, corporate customers, and sells direct through their website.
He went on to meet Lou Brennan, of Lou Brennan Designs, an award-winning fashion and textile designer who creates a range of luxury scarves, including a range of soft merino wool, luxury silk and linen, from a family-owned mills in the west of Ireland. Lou has worked with renowned brands such as Alexander McQueen and John Rocha.
The minister then spoke with Elzbieta and Lukas Szczerbak of Mood Designs, who craft handmade Irish ceramics inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way. The business produces ceramic gifts like brooches, wall ornaments and bowls, and runs workshops for organisations like Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and Western Care Association. They have successfully integrated a robust e-commerce strategy into their business, generating international sales and distributing their products in various locations including Northern Ireland and the UK.
Minister Richard moved on to Moneen Industrial Estate, where he was greeted by Damien Flynn, managing director of Olandi Engineering - a high-quality engineering firm specialising in machining and fabrication of stainless steel and aluminium parts, providing specialist equipment, machinery and pharmaceutical grade parts to various local and international businesses.
Said Minister Richmond at the end of his visit: “It is always enjoyable to see, first-hand, the positive impact that the LEOs have in assisting these innovative new businesses to get up and running. The entrepreneurs I have met show the diversity of businesses that are emerging from Mayo and illustrate the possibilities that are open to anyone who wishes to start or grow their own business.”