The Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD has announced the creation of 106 new jobs in the midwest region, spread across nine small businesses supported by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. Of these, 42 full-time and part-time jobs are being created by three companies in Tipperary (Mack Engineering, Horizon Offsite Ltd and Phil Purcell Engineering Ltd); 38 full-time jobs are being created by three Limerick-based companies (Black Bear Software, Celignis Ltd and ABS Engineering Control) and 26 full-time and part-time new jobs are being created by three Clare companies (AiP Thermoform Packaging Ltd, Core Optimisation and Vanderlust Campervans).

All jobs due to come on stream by December 2020


Recruitment for the new jobs began over the summer and all roles are due to come on stream by December 2020 across engineering, digital marketing, software and packaging industries. Eamon Ryan, head of enterprise with Local Enterprise Office, Limerick, said: “Helping small businesses start and grow is at the very heart of what LEOs do and this jobs announcement is very positive for the region. "Nine locally based small businesses are bringing more than 100 valuable jobs to communities across the midwest and the LEOs want to acknowledge their hard-earned success and congratulate them on their job creation achievements. "Through financial assistance, mentoring and training supports, LEOs help hundreds of start-ups and small companies every year to grow their businesses throughout the region. Last year in the midwest alone, more than 3,000 people were trained around starting and growing a business, 530 mentoring assignments were organised and 4,800 people were employed in 820 LEO-backed companies.” Mark Christal, manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Regions and Entrepreneurship Division, said: “Achieving strong regional growth is a key focus for Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and these 106 Local Enterprise Office-supported jobs demonstrate the benefits of this approach. "The supports that are in place to boost job creation, including these new jobs being announced today, underpin the successful collaboration between the LEOs, local authorities and Enterprise Ireland that help more Irish companies realise their global ambition.”

Fantastic boost for midwest area


Anna Marie Delaney, chairperson of the County and City Management Association, EECC Committee, said: “These new jobs are a fantastic boost for the mid-west area, and a great example of how small and developing businesses are contributing to regional jobs growth and balanced economic recovery. "Today’s announcement is an opportunity to recognise and highlight the variety of industries and job opportunities that exist around the country. A key focus for local authorities is on making great places to live and work and creating attractive environments for businesses to establish and flourish.” The 31 LEOs are located in each county and provide a ‘first stop shop’ of supports and expert advice for entrepreneurs, start-ups, micro enterprises and small businesses providing training, mentoring and financial supports. Funding for the LEOs working in partnership with the local authorities and Enterprise Ireland is provided by the government through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Company profiles


AiP Thermoform Packaging (six jobs) Address: Ballymaley Business Park, Barefield, Ennis, Co Clare Company Profile: Established in 1998 (originally in Galway), AiP Thermoform Packaging in County Clare specialises in the design and manufacture of technical packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, electronic and retail sectors. These include transport trays for electronic components, clamshells and blisters for retail point of sale and decorative presentation trays. The company’s managing director is John Mulleady and he took over the company in 2002 under a management buyout agreement. The company received Business Expansion Grants through Local Enterprise Office Clare and is announcing six jobs. Company Contact: John Mulleady, managing director Vanderlust Campervans (six jobs) Address: Deerpark Industrial Estate, Deerpark Road, Ardnacullia North, Ennistymon, Co Clare Company Profile: Founded in 2007, Vanderlust is Ireland’s largest campervan conversion and rental company, operating from a 6,500-sq-ft workshop in Ennistymon. The company also sells campervan parts and accessories on-line to customers around the world and has a rental base in Ireland and a second base in Bournemouth in the UK. Future plans include a Vanderlust-branded range of custom campervans and a DIY conversion kit. The company has received a Business Expansion Grant through Local Enterprise Office Clare and is announcing six jobs. Company Contact: David Hanley, founder Core Optimisation (14 jobs) Address: Beechpark Business Centre, Smithstown, Shannon, Co Clare Company Profile: Core Optimisation, founded in 2015, is a performance Digital Marketing Agency, specialising in hospitality and retail sectors. The company help clients to secure higher revenues from websites through innovative digital marketing techniques. Its portfolio of clients across Ireland and the UK include Shannon Heritage, the Cliffs of Moher, the K Club, Laura Ashley Hotel and The Arch London. Currently, 40 per cent of its business is from the UK market and the company is actively exploring new opportunities in the US. Supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare with Business Priming and Expansion Grants, Core Optimisation is announcing 14 jobs by the end of 2020. Company Contact: Caroline Dunlea, co-founder Celignis Limited (nine jobs) Address: Mill Court, upper William Street, Limerick city Company Profile: Celignis, founded in 2013, is a dedicated analysis laboratory for the ‘bioeconomy’, including bioenergy and biofuels industries. It provides national and international clients with precise data allowing them to efficiently use their biomass feedstocks and optimise their conversion processes. The company is a spin-out from state-of-the-art research at University of Limerick by founder, Dr Daniel Hayes and over 70 per cent of revenue is generated from overseas customers with samples coming from countries such as the USA, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. The company has major expansion plans and is announcing nine jobs. Local Enterprise Office Limerick has supported Celignis Limited with a Business Expansion Grant. Company Contact: Dr Daniel Hayes, owner Black Bear Software (17 jobs) Address: Newtown, Annacotty, Co Limerick Company Profile: Black Bear Software, founded in 2017, is a software development company which has developed a cloud platform for capturing and analysing sensor data for the aviation and logistics’ sectors. Tailored for supply chain and asset management systems, Black Bear provides insight and transparency for on-the-ground operational processes. Their software solutions, which include real-time location and conditional monitoring, helps companies to utilise critical operational assets such as tools, parts and equipment, more efficiently. The company has plans for rapid expansion by announcing 17 jobs. The company received a Business Expansion Grant from Local Enterprise Office Limerick and has now transferred to Enterprise Ireland. Company Contact: Alan Dormer, director ABS Engineering Control Systems (12 jobs) Address: Rathkeale Industrial Estate, Co Limerick Company Profile: ABS Engineering Control Systems Ltd, established in 2017, provides and installs state-of-the-art Building Energy Management Systems (BMS) in commercial, industrial and pharmaceutical sites. Their control solutions mange functions such as heating, cooling, energy usage and monitoring from one centralized location. The company is currently developing a ‘Smart Building’ project for the Indian market and its client base includes Clayton Hotels, Dromoland Castle, Glenstal Abbey and Design Pro. Supported by Local Enterprise Office Limerick with a Business Priming Grant, the company is announcing 12 jobs. Company Contact: Colm Cussen, managing director Mack Engineering - Jadeloft Ltd, Trading As Mack Engineering (21 jobs) Address: Well Road, Nenagh, Co Tipperary Company Profile: Launched in 2018, Mack Engineering (Jadeloft Ltd) operates from a 30,000-sq-ft unit at the former site of Abbey Machinery in Nenagh town. Its primary focus is architectural metalwork, pedestrian bridges and overhead steel gantries for the construction industry, which is a niche market requiring specialist equipment and a highly skilled workforce. The company recently achieved ‘Class IV Certification’ which enables them to tender for highly specialised work in this area, such as long span bridges. The company received a Business Priming Grant from Local Enterprise Office Tipperary and has plans to create 21 jobs (recruitment already under way). Company Contact: Karl Mackey and Hilda Mackey, directors Horizon Offsite (15 jobs) Address: Cahir Business Park, Cahir, Co Tipperary Company Profile: Horizon Offsite Ltd, established in 2017, designs and manufactures offsite light gauge steel building system structures, such as fully structural internal panels and floors. The company exports 95 per cent of its production to the UK for group housing and apartment projects and recently completed a light steel data storage centre in Malta. Through continuous investment in research and development, the company plans to enter new markets in Europe and the Far East, by 2020. In May 2018, the company won a Regional Award at the annual National Enterprise Awards and has received a Business Expansion Grant through Local Enterprise Office Tipperary and the company is announcing 15 jobs (recruitment already underway). Company Contact: Ger Fahey, managing director Phil Purcell Engineering Ltd (six jobs) Address: Upperchurch Village, Thurles, Co Tipperary Company Profile: Phil Purcell Engineering Limited was established in rural Tipperary in 2015 to provide a complete metal fabrication service, from conception to completion. Thanks to its CE Mark accreditation, the company provides stainless steel solutions for domestic, commercial and industrial clients. Its product range includes railings, feature staircases, gates, portal frame buildings, balconies and mild steel frames and recent projects have been carried out for Lidl, BAM Construction and SISK. The company, which received Business Priming and Expansion Grants from Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, is announcing six jobs (recruitment already under way). Company Contact: Phil Purcell, director