Well-known local rally man Jakes Kelly and KK Hydraulics to represent Kerry at the National Enterprise Awards final
A Tralee-based manufacturer of recycling equipment is set to compete with some of the country’s leading small businesses after being selected as a finalist in the National Enterprise Awards, which take place next week.
KK Hydraulics will represent the Local Enterprise Office Kerry at the prestigious awards that take place on Thursday, 18th June in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.
KK Hydraulics is a Tralee based family business run by Jakes and William Kelly. The business specializes in the manufacture of recycling equipment for the agricultural sector and has successfully developed export markets in the UK and Iceland. They also supply a range of hydraulic and marine equipment from their store in Tralee.
Speaking about the awards Jakes Kelly said: “KK Hydraulics is delighted with the nomination to the National Enterprise awards. Our business has grown steadily in recent years, and we were fortunate to avail of grant support and training from Kerry Local Enterprise Office, which helped us on our journey as we developed new products and expanded into export markets”.
This is the 26th year of the Local Enterprise Office initiative, and KK Hydraulics is one of the 31 Finalists for the Awards that take place on the 18th June in Dublin.
Peter Burke, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said at the announcement: “The National Enterprise Awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Irish entrepreneurship. Looking through the list of finalists for this year, you can see a significant variety of sectors and business ideas, from Health and Beauty to AgTech, from Software to Food and Drink.
“Every one of these finalists have the potential to scale, create jobs in their communities, and make a significant impact internationally. These awards shine a light on the amazing businesses that are starting and growing across the country year on year, and we should be extremely proud of the level of founders that Ireland is producing. The previous winners and indeed finalists have shown the calibre of these awards, and it’s exciting to see where these businesses can and will go in the future.”
Victor Sheahan of the Kerry LEO stated “The National Enterprise Awards serve to highlight the very best businesses that Local Enterprise Offices are working with across the country. KK Hydraulics is a great example of an innovative family business that identified a market opportunity and successfully developed its own range of compacting and baling equipment for the recycling industry. The company has now built a strong customer base not only in Ireland, but also in the UK and as far afield as Iceland. The business continues to innovate and is well positioned for further growth, creating additional employment opportunities in Kerry.”
The Finalists compete for a total prize fund of €80,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner there are categories for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a Digital Award, a Green Award and a Female Entrepreneur award.
There will also be an Outstanding Achievement Award presented on the night to an Irish business who started with the support of their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international success.
The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
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