Artisan Pizza Company who are supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin were announced as winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards held on Thursday last. The awards, which took place virtually were broadcast online from the Mansion House in Dublin, are in their 22nd year and run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
The Artisan Pizza Company took home the Dublin Regional Award. Since 2007 the Artisan Pizza Company has manufactured and supplied superior quality artisan pizza bases fresh to the Irish market under the ‘Pizza da Piero’ brand. Its bases are handmade and par-baked in Rathcoole ready for the retail and foodservice sectors. Currently supplying all major retail multiples in Ireland, the company plans to develop a wider product range and export to the UK.
Selecting Artisan Pizza as Regional winners the Judges described being deeply impressed with the business, a robust company who have achieved superb market penetration and who have developed a nationally recognized brand
‘LEO South Dublin are delighted to celebrate the success of Cliona and Piero and their company Artisan Pizza. The growth and success of this business is down to their incredible work ethic, their attention to detail, the quality and authenticity of their products and their continuous drive to engage on our business development and growth programmes”, says Tom Rooney, Head of Enterprise, LEO South Dublin.
Cliona Swan said, ‘Winning the Regional Enterprise Award among such a high caliber of businesses means the world to us. It’s a recognition of years of the hard work put in by Piero, myself and our team. We cannot wait to celebrate with our bakers who are so committed to maintaining the high quality of the pizza bases every day. We will continue to work hard going forward, bringing a taste of Italy to Irish dinner tables.”
Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development Frank Nevin, congratulated The Artisan Pizza Company and added that they are an inspiration to our entrepreneurs and new business in South Dublin. It is great to have these Awards taking place and shining a spotlight on the very many fantastic businesses that are growing and developing the length and breadth of the country.’’
The overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards was Mullingar mobile craft canning company, Bevcraft. Established in 2016 by friends Ciaran Gorman and Darren Fenton the company has gone from strength to strength. They now work with over 250 brands to can their produce using their mobile canning technology. They are operating across 5 European countries and in 2021 aim to handle over 50million cans.
Announcing the awards virtually from the Mansion House, Minister English said “The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the sheer talent, determination and success which exists in Irish businesses. The winners tonight are outstanding companies and, along with all the finalists, are trailblazers for every small business and budding entrepreneur across the country. I have no doubt that the companies here will continue to grow their businesses, create more jobs and make a significant contribution to their local economies. The foundations of the Irish economy is built on by small businesses and through these awards we can recognise their valuable role in society.”
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 which this year takes place from 1st to 5th of March 2021. 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. The LEOs work with over 7,000 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
