Healthy food firm scoops County Enterprise award
By William O'Connor
A HEALTHY food business based in Greenogue in Rathcoole has won the South Dublin County Enterprise Award for 2018.
The top prize of €5,000 went to Joanne and James Davey of Absolute Nutrition in Rathcoole, who will now represent Local Enterprise Office South Dublin on May 24 in the Mansion House at the National Enterprise Awards, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Overall winners Joanne and James Davey (Absolute Nutrition) with Colm Ward (LEO South Dublin) and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Breda Bonner
Absolute Nutrition are the producers of award winning paleo, protein and high energy snacks and treats from their new customised 4,000 square feet production facility in Greenogue Business Park.
Currently employing seven staff, they will be adding two more staff in the coming months as their range of original recipe protein balls, energy bombs, raw bites and brownies provide healthier snacking option with powerful superfood nourishment for more and more customers.
Other winners at the awards ceremony, held in County Hall, Tallaght included Best Innovation: John Maguire of Sensation Audio in Tallaght, Best Export: Michael Higgins of Speedpin based in Clondalkin, and Best Start-Up: Sarah Kiely of Sadie’s Kitchen in Tallaght.
Judging for the National Enterprise Awards is taking place in April and Absolute Nutrition will be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €40,000 prize fund.
The Mansion House will be the venue for the awards ceremony in May and categories this year include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start Up Business’ and ‘Innovation,’ in addition to eight regional awards.
Speaking during the awards ceremony as part of Local Enterprise Week Colm Ward, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office South Dublin said: “Absolute Nutrition has already become a success story and the judges were particularly impressed by continued jobs expansion as well as increasing sales traction and market coverage.
As Local Enterprise Offices celebrate twenty years of the National Enterprise Awards in 2018, South Dublin are delighted to be represented by Absolute Nutrition in this extra special year.” See photos page 60.
