Ballacolla business Hanlon Woodcraft have been named as the Laois Enterprise of the Year at the Laois Enterprise Awards which were held today, Friday 8 March in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Hanlon Woodcraft is a growing business based in Aghaboe, Ballacolla. Hanlon Woodcraft are manufacturers of bespoke kitchens and bedroom furniture.
They are an innovative company who have embraced a technological approach to a traditional manual manufacturing sector.
Hanlon Woodcraft was established in 2003 by Danny Hanlon, a well known Aghaboe craftsman, and the business has grown steadily in recent years with both an increase in employment numbers and an extended showroom and manufacturing facility.
Hanlon Woodcraft will now go up against 30 other finalists from every local authority for a share of the €40,000 prize fund.
Danny Hanlon from Hanlon Woodcraft was presented with his award by Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council John King, at an awards ceremony which concluded an active Local Enterprise Week in county Laois.
The other category winners announced at the Laois Enterprise Awards today were;
Laois Start Up Business of the Year – Ballykilcavan Brewery
Most Innovative Business – Machado Mens Grooming
Exporter of the Year – Alan Meredith Studio
The National Enterprise Awards have been run annually since 1997 and recognise the contribution that small businesses make to the Irish economy. Hanlon Woodcraft will compete against 30 other small enterprises from throughout Ireland for the title of National Enterprise of the Year.
Speaking after Hanlon Woodcraft was announced as Laois Enterprise of the Year, Evelyn Reddin, Head of Enterprise in the Local Enterprise Office, said: “Hanlon Woodcraft are very worthy winners of this year’s Laois Enterprise Awards.
“Danny Hanlon and his team have shown impressive business growth for the past number of years and have very ambitious plans for future growth. They have engaged actively with the Local Enterprise Office to help plan their business growth in a sustainable manner.
“The standard of entry into the local rounds of the National Enterprise Awards was very high this year and our judging panel had a very difficult task in deciding on the eventual winners. This is a real sign of the strength and continuing growth of the small business sector in Laois.
“Hanlon Woodcraft are now going to represent Laois in the National Enterprise Finals and we believe they will be very strong contenders at this national level.”
The Mansion House in Dublin will host this year’s awards, which feature a range of categories including; Best Export Business, Best Start Up Business and Innovation, as well as eight regional awards.
The National Enterprise Awards will take place in Dublin on May 29, 2019.
SEE ALSO – A new interview segment coming to LaoisToday – it’s our Women in Sport series
