30th June 2022
Innovative enterprises in the food, bio and medical industries showcased
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) today where he met with council officials and members of the LEO team as well as visiting some of their outstanding client companies.
Minister English was greeted at Wexford County Hall by Eamonn Hore, Deputy Chief Executive and George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council.
Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise at Wexord LEO, gave a presentation on the successful work of the LEO team in supporting the SME business community in the South-East and held discussions with Minister English on their future plans for enterprise development in the county. This was followed by a presentation of a Wexford Food Family Hamper along with products from the other LEO client companies which showcased the variety of locally produced goods which are available to consumers from across Ireland and the globe.
Minister English said:
“The importance of the LEO network to local businesses cannot be overstated. The LEOs provide a vital service in supporting companies whether it is through training, mentoring or with other important supports. The Wexford LEO was a vital lifeline to local businesses during the pandemic and it will now play an even more important role in providing advice and guidance as companies seek to diversify or to grow and expand.”
Minister English then met with LEO Client Companies Wexford Food Family and Professional Hair Labs. The Wexford Food Family is a not-for-profit network of food producers dedicated to growing the Wexford food industry in the county through growing the business of its members. Professional Hair Labs are a manufacturer and distributor of cutting-edge cosmetic products, using innovative, modern ingredient technologies to bring niche solutions to the marketplace which solve everyday challenges for consumers.
The Minister then met with LEO team members and members of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee for discussions on the work of both teams in helping local businesses to realise their ambition for growing sales and creating more job opportunities locally.
The Minister’s next stop was Biostór Ireland, which is a technologically advanced bio storage facility for the import, certified storage and worldwide distribution of biological materials for scientific research and clinical applications. Peadar MacGabhann, Director and Ger McCabe, Chief Operations Officer of Biostór spoke to the Minister about their entrepreneurial journey with LEO Wexford.
Minister English concluded his visit at Hoop Medical where he met with Teddy Mudge, co-founder and Clive Hayes, CEO. Hoop Medical specialise in the development and manufacture of advanced medical balloons for the global medical device industry. Using proprietary robotic balloon forming technology, the company develops and manufactures the balloon component of a balloon catheter device for a wide customer base.
On the conclusion of his visit the Minister English said:
“I am delighted to be here in Wexford today and to meet with so many enterprising individuals and to learn about their businesses. I am always impressed with the diversity of business that engages with our various LEO teams all around the country. And Wexford can be proud of their local business community; with its biotechnology firms, not-for-profit network of food producers, cutting-edge cosmetic manufacturers and advanced medical products for the global medical device industry, the range of entrepreneurial spirit here in Wexford is truly inspiring. The willingness of businesses to grasp opportunities is vital in ensuring regional growth and job creation. Through the LEOs, and other agencies and supports, the Government will continue to support innovation and ambition in our business community to ensure that our economy will continue to grow and thrive.”
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