November 11th, 2004

Carlow Company Nets a Major Enterprise Award [Joe Barrett, Irish Independent]

 

A CARLOW-BASED company, Netwatch Ireland Limited, received a special merit award at the eighth national enterprise awards held in Portlaoise last week.

Netwatch has been established just under two year and offers security solutions to its customer base via remote closed-circuit television monitoring.

The company provides footage of an intrusion at a property, which is sent immediately to their command centre.

The prestigious award carried with it a €1,500 cash prize.

The national enterprise awards competition is organised by city and county enterprise boards supported by the National Development Plan. The competition carries a cash prize-fund in excess of €20,000.

This year 28 companies took part in the competition. Each company had to advance from their own city or county area to compete in the final.

Speaking at the final, Minister for Trade and Commerce at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Michael Ahern said; "Regional development is a key objective of the National Development Plan.  The boards' localised structures allows them to proactively identify and support innovative entrepreneurs who are keen to exploit emerging and alternative business investment opportunities. Working in cooperation with other local agencies the boards play a significant part in supporting and realising this major government policy."
 
Other speakers at the awards ceremony included Laois Enterprise Board CEO and chairperson of the association of CEOs of CEBs Maria Callinan, the director of the Small Firms Association, Pat Delaney.  Master of Ceremonies was sports commentator Micheal 6 Muircheartaigh.

Speaking on the day, David Walsh from Netwatch which employs 25 staff said he was delighted with the award.  He said he felt the award was recognition of his and his partner, Niall Kelly's, products.  "It says we're doing the right thing. It's also great praise for our staff."

Asked was he worried about the slowdown in the IT sector, Mr Kelly said:
"Technology is about people and we're only as good as our workers.  We knew when we were setting up we had to deliver more to our customers in terms of delivering services.  At the moment the IT sector is tired and looking for new solutions.  That's where we, come in."

Mr Kelly said that since the start of the year, his company's products have assisted gardaí in the arrest of 12 people who were detected trespassing on premises.  From that number, four have been successfully convicted in the courts for offences.

He said where his company's products has the advantage on the market is that it cuts down on costs associated with employing security staff on sites and premises.

Chairperson of the Enterprise Promotion Committee and CEO of Carlow County Enterprise Board Michael Kelly was also present on the day and congratulated Netwatch representatives on their win.