Local firms scoop ‘Innovation West Awards’

Thirty-six local business organisations from Tyrone and Fermanagh have joined the super-league of business achievers, winning prestigious ‘Innovation West’ awards, the equivalent of the local ‘business Oscars’.

The businesses were recognised as the Districts’ leaders for their commitment to innovation and for their entrepreneurial spirit.

All these companies are now poised to take up honours with the opportunity to win one of seven prestigious Regional Accolades at a VIP, black-tie gala ceremony, in the Killyhevlin Hotel next month.

Speaking at the district celebration even in the Mellon Country Inn, Joe Doherty, Western Regional manager LEDU, praised businesses like these who continually strive for improvement. He said: “Our region has suffered several severe economic blows in recent times, mostly affecting the larger firms in the traditional manufacturing sector. It is therefore particularly heartening to see our small firms rising to the challenge of finding so many new and innovative ways of developing their processes, their markets and, in many cases, their bottom line.

“Businesses like these are the backbone of our local economy, and their innovative potential which has been recognised here augurs well for the future.”

The competition is jointly promoted by Innovation West, which is a consortium of LEDU, IFI, the district councils and district partnerships of Omagh, Strabane, Cookstown, Fermanagh, Dungannon and South Tyrone. (MB)