Chamber Connect ED2 Spring Summer 2022

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Get to know your president

DONAL CANTILLON

Introducing Chief Economist

SEAN GOLDEN

sharing his vision for upcoming Limerick Chamber Policy,

-

Introducing

MICHEAL MAC CURTAIN

Limerick Chamber Skillnet Manager making waves to progress the skilled workforce in the Midwest.

Meet the ground breakers of mid-west business community.

Connect with your network today

Main sponsor Limerick Chamber Connect Magazine: Actionpoint Technology Group

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CHAMBER CONNECT

STEP 3

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CEO MESSAGE

Dear Member, Welcome to the Spring /Summer 2022 edition of Limerick Chamber Connect magazine. Over the course of the following pages our editorial team and sponsors have worked to bring you informative updates of interest to the Mid-West business community. In this edition we are delighted to feature in our main article the winners of our 2021 Regional Business Awards whose excellent operations are based here in the Mid-West.

Our thanks to our community sectoral experts for the valuable briefings on hot topics for members including - ESG holding the key for SME’s from BDO (page 14) Pandemic to Endemic - obligations on employers now from Sellors solicitors (page 23) Spotting and solving burn-out from VHI (page 27) and key findings from the latest Global EY SME Survey (page 19).

In addition, we are pleased to bring a double page feature on Digital Transformation from Actionpoint to help you focus on your own plans for your business’s journey.

There is a distinct air of determination and resolve in how members are going about their business post-pandemic with a focus on growth and new opportunities as companies strive to make up perceived lost time.

My colleagues in Limerick Chamber Skillnet are having a record year in dispersing government for training and workforce development, as our Network Manager Michael MacCurtain office orfunding an entrepreneurial outlinespersonal. on page 8. ng and intensely Demand is high at for in-person events and networking opportunities and our Events & Marketing ur ownership and growth Manager Caoimhe Moloney has outlined anchor events for you to add to your calendar on page 29 (as always, keep an eye online for additional events and to register your attendance) ckle complex challenges By understanding, and embracing our members business challenges, vision, objectives and Our focusgoals is on your agenda, we can effectively represent you in our work to improve the Mid West regional operating , today and tomorrow. We invite and welcome your engagement through our regular surveys, events, environment newsletter, social channels and committee meetings. In addition please reach out to the relevant team member (page 6) if there is a specific project that we can support you with.

Finally, we are pleased to introduce our new President, Donal Cantillon, Director at Focus Capital Partners. The team and I look forward to supporting Donal in his year as President to achieve his particular focus on behalf of members (read more on page 5).

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Best Wishes Dee Ryan

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

Thank you to our sponsors and advertorial/editorial contributors for their support Copywriters: Wordsmiths Rachel Kealy & Emily Westbrooks wordsmiths.ie Shauna Kennedy: Morning Star Photography Graphic Designer: Suzanne McGarry 4Design 087 2238070

CONTENTS WORKING FOR YOU Introducing Donal Cantillon Limerick Chamber President Meet your Team Chamber Member Mingle Limerick Chamber Skillnet-future-work Policy Spotlight: Future Limerick Financial Sector Expert: Corner BDO Main Sponsor Feature: ActionPoint Thriving Limerick: Meet the Ground Breaker’s Legal Sector Expert Corner: Sellors Health Sector Expert Corner: VHI

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY pg 5 pg 6 pg 7 pg 8 pg 12 pg 14 pg 15 pg 19 pg 21 pg 25

Dates for your Diary Meet our New Members Connect with your Community: Member Directory Hospitality Sharing: Tuscany Bistro Fostering Growth: Grow your Business Member Expert Contribution Support Local Arts

pg 27 pg 30 pg 34 pg 45

pg 46 pg 47

Main sponsor Limerick Chamber Connect Magazine: Actionpoint Technology Group Disclaimer: This magazine may contain third party owned content (e.g. articles, images or abstracts). To the extent permitted by law, therefore, Limerick Chamber does not endorse, sponsor, recommend or otherwise accept any responsibility for such third party content. The views and opinions of authors expressed in Chamber Connect do not necessarily state or reflect those of Limerick Chamber, nor those of the main sponsor of Chamber Connect, and they may not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. www.limerickchamber.ie

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WORKING FOR YOU

Donal Cantillon (President) Partner, Focus Capital Partners

Our Board is annually elected from within our membership each February.

The Board sets the priority focus for the Chamber, reflecting the views of our diverse Mid West business community.

Miriam O’Connor (Vice President) Partner, Sellors

OU

RB

P E R

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S RE

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James Ryan Board of Directors / Owner Centra William Street & O’ Connell St Limerick.

David Jeffreys Founder & CEO, Action Point

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Donnacha Hurley (2021 President) General Manager Absolute Hotel

Noel Gavin Senior Vice President Northern Trust

Leanne Storan Director - EY

OA

RD

Paul Ryan Site Lead WP Engine

Kieran Considine Head of AIB, Clare Limerick & Kerry

Mairead Connolly Partner - PWC

Dr. Liam Brown Vice President Research, Development & Innovation TUS Midlands Midwest

Graham Burns Director Cpl Regional Offices CPL Resources

Maria Gleeson Business Development Manager Holmes O’Malley Sexton

Lavinia Ryan Corporate Business Manager, South & West Region - VHI

Alan Higgins Director of Operations & Digital Solutions – Ingenium

Mick Ryan Head of Business Banking Mid-West - Bank Of Ireland

Pat Keating Chief Executive Office, Shannon Foynes Port Caompany

WORKING FOR YOU

Interview with incoming President Donal Cantillon With a new year comes a new Limerick Chamber president. This year, Donal Cantillon is taking up the Chamber mantle and capitalising on the research and policy work that has been undertaken in the past few years. “In the year ahead, we’re really going to focus on delivering on the projects that are currently live and unlocking the tremendous potential for those,” Donal explained, “We want to use the material we already have and develop our policies for those while continuing to lobby on behalf of our members.”

Cantillon is a director with Focus Capital Partners, a corporate finance advisory firm with offices in both Limerick and Dublin. Prior to joining Focus, Donal served as Head of Business Banking MidWest for Bank of Ireland, where he worked with and supported the region’s SME business community — experience that will serve him well as President of Limerick Chamber.

“I’m really looking forward to the year ahead,” Donal said, “It’s a fantastic honour to lead the Chamber, and I’m looking forward to trying to make Limerick a better place to do business, to work, live and play.” To that end, Cantillon expects that the research that has already been completed and the projects that have been launched will be the primary focus throughout the course of 2022.

One key report, the Future Limerick City Report, which focused on the potential of the city centre in comparison to other similar-sized cities, will give direction to lobbying of government officials as well as communication with stakeholders.

“The Chamber recognises the benefits of a thriving city for all businesses operating in the midwest and we look forward to furthering

the recommendations of this report throughout the year by holding key stakeholders accountable in the delivery of key infrastructure projects, thus unlocking the vast potential of these city centre sites which can be a driver of economic growth in the region.”

Accountability will be an important theme that runs throughout the Chamber’s efforts this year, with the launch of both a public dashboard in conjunction with the Limerick City County Council as well as a Chamber infrastructure project tracker that will highlight the progress of key projects in the region. “These should deliver greater transparency for the public and members on policies and projects that are already afoot,” according to Donal.

Donal recognised that while the height of the pandemic might be behind us, focus must also be brought to the current conflict in Ukraine. “We must firstly show solidarity with the Ukrainian people being displaced and continue to provide humanitarian aid and assistance where possible,” Cantillon said, “And maybe now is an opportune time for us to re-look at our national energy strategy with the aim of becoming self-sufficient.”

Donal referenced the Shannon LNG project as well as the potential move to off-shore wind as sources of sustainable energy that would take pressure away from imported sources. “We need to kickstart the development of offshore wind capabilities in order to reduce our dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate our transition to more green alternatives,” Cantillon explained, “In doing so, Ireland can not only become a world leader in generating a cleaner source of energy but can also become energy self-sufficient and a net exporter of energy to the European grid.”

In order to keep these projects at the forefront of the agenda, Cantillon anticipates calling on the government to move the offshore renewable energy remit from the Department of Housing to either the department of the Taoiseach or Tánaiste to reflect its vital importance to Ireland and Europe.

“Our biggest limiting factor with this critical area will be ambition,” Cantillon said.

As the crisis in Ukraine continues to impact businesses and families here in Ireland, Cantillon expects to be putting pressure on the government on behalf of members to ensure they are supported in the face of unprecedented inflation.

“We received very good supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government have shown they’re able to move fast,” he explained, “We’ll be leaning on them to double down on those efforts to ensure supports are in place, particularly for those businesses that are most impacted by increases in energy costs.”

With challenges on the horizon and ample research and recommendations at hand, Cantillon is energised by the tasks at hand, “It will be a busy year, but I am looking forward to both the challenges and opportunities over the coming 12 months.”

www.limerickchamber.ie

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WORKING FOR YOU

Meet your Team DEE RYAN Chief Executive Officer

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SEÁN GOLDEN Chief Economist / Director of Policy

DIARMUID O’SHEA Economist / Policy Analyst

CAOIMHE MOLONEY Event and Communications Manager

MICHAEL MacCURTAIN Skillnet Manager

MARGARET CORBETT Certificates of Origin Administrator

SIAN MURRAY Skillnets Administrator

DERMOT GRAHAM Membership Executive

MARY EGAN PA and Administrator

ANTOINETTE KEATING Accounts Manager

MEMBER Shauna Kennedy, HIGHLIGHT Morningstar www.morningstar.ie

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www.limerickchamber.ie

WORKING FOR YOU

Working for you- Limerick Chamber Skillnet “My vision is to make Limerick one of the best places to live and work,” Michael MacCurtain explained in a recent interview. The new Skillnet Network Manager for Limerick Chamber took up the role in late 2021 and has ambitious goals for the future of skills training for the Limerick area.

The Skillnet organisation operating around Ireland is determined to deliver €100M worth of training to 100,000 people by 2025, and the Limerick Chamber Skillnet will contribute to that effort. “My role is a connector between the companies and the relevant training. It’s all about keeping them as competitive as possible. Whether it’s in the area, nationally, or internationally.”

“My predecessor was excellent, and I have big boots to fill in that regard,” said MacCurtain, whose Limerick roots position him well to do just that. “My family comes from a long history of retailers in the city centre. Our family business was started in 1939 and went through every type of recession. We saw Limerick grow, and we saw Limerick get smaller.”

That business finished up before the crash in 2008 and MacCurtain made his way into the banking sector before moving on to a series of recruitment and work placement roles. “Now I’ve found my way back to helping Limerick city centre thrive again,” he said, “Working with the Chamber is the ideal place for me.”

Of course, Michael explained that his role doesn’t just involve the city centre but the entirety of the Limerick and Shannon areas. “My vision is to make Limerick one of the best places to live and work.” As Skillnet Network Manager, MacCurtain will be responsible for developing training options throughout the Midwest region for any and all members of the Chamber who wish to avail of them. “We’re very cognisant that commerce is delivered out in Shannon, out in the county, out in the retail parks. We want to make sure

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CHAMBER CONNECT

no org, SME or blue-chip company, is ever in a situation to shut up shop.”

The Limerick Chamber Skillnet is focused on delivering training assistance to retail businesses in particular. April will bring the launch of a retail apprenticeship programme in conjunction with a handful of other Skillnets and the Midwest Skills Forum.

This will involve bringing retailers, grocers, bars, pubs, boutiques, and cafés in to demonstrate the benefit of that training initiative. Michael is also building a range of courses designed to help retailers and businesses around the areas of leadership, customer service, digital marketing, and coaching. These are designed to help businesses make themselves more competitive.

Michael acknowledged that companies all over the greater Limerick area are currently facing hiring challenges and the Limerick Chamber Skillnet is working hard to help companies proactively address those: “The big challenge I find is that it’s very, very hard to get staff everywhere. If you can keep your staff engaged through concentrating on development, they’re not going to look anywhere else.

They’ll be getting what they need in terms of responsibility, training, and development.”

Additionally, MacCurtain said they aim to entice workers to come to the Midwest region by showing that “our members are best in class in terms of what they offer – it’s more than salary, it’s value-added in terms of that training piece.”

If you have yet to avail of training via the Limerick Chamber Skillnet, Michael wants to assure members that the process is simple and straightforward.

“If you’ve identified that there are a couple of gaps in terms of training for your team, we can engage with trainers in those specialty areas directly to develop a training plan that’s either bespoke to whatever your need is or more general training if there are needs that a few companies share.”

My predecessor was

excellent, and I have big

boots to fill in that regard,” said MacCurtain, whose Limerick roots position

him well to do just that.

“My family comes from a

long history of retailers in

the city centre. Our family business was started in

1939 and went through

every type of recession.

We saw Limerick grow,

and we saw Limerick get smaller.

Once training needs have been identified, MacCurtain does the legwork of contacting other companies that might be interested in the same course, organising the trainers, and coordinating logistics.

He has encouraged members to take up the opportunity to have the Limerick Chamber Skillnet supplement individual training costs that will make these valuable courses more affordable: “There is money there to be spent. It’s better to be spent on training that our members want and need than just sitting there. The door is open.” www.limerickchamber.ie/train

Member Information Limerick Chamber is one of only three chambers in Ireland that has an in house Chief Economist. Limerick Chamber Policy team is led by Sean Golden, Chief Economist and Diarmuid O’Shea our Policy Analyst.

If you would like to know more about the lobbying and policy initiatives Limerick Chamber works on throughout the year, all policy documents and briefing materials are listed via our website:

As a member we want to hear your thoughts and regularly issue surveys to gauge the items affecting businesses in the mid-west region.

Don’t hesitate to contact our team today: sgolden@limerickchamber.ie doshea@limerickchamber.ie or call 061 415 180 today!

www.limerickchamber.ie www.limerickchamber.ie

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Upskilling You Limerick Chamber Skillnet is an enterprise-led, regional, multi sector business network that funds and provides bespoke business training for companies in the Mid-West.

Pharmaceutical

Project Management

• Fundamentals of Freeze Drying in a Pharmaceutical Context April 6th to October 6th 2022

• PMI Authorized PMP Exam Preparation Course May 11th to May 25th 2022

Leadership • Lunch & Learn - How to give straight up feedback April 6th 2022 • Smart Choice - A Personal & Organisational Growth Programme April 6th to November 23rd 2022

Marketing • Making a Marketing/Sales Video for your Business April 14th to April 28th 2022

Visit our Website www.limerickchamber.ie/upcoming-training Contact the Team Network Manager, Michael Mac Curtain m.maccurtain@limerickchamber.ie Skillnet Administrator, Sian Murray s.murray@limerickchamber.ie

Limerick Chamber Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

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• Project Management Essentials 2-day Course June 20th to June 21st 2022

Food Safety • QQI Level 5 Implementing Food Safety Management Systems April 5, 2022 to April 19th 2022 • QQI Level 5 Implementing Food Safety Management Systems June 14th to June 29th 2022

Contact Us Today to Learn About Funding For Your Upskilling Needs

The largest independent group of accounting and tax professionals in the Midwest with over 60 staff across our three offices.

CLIENT FOCUSED PARTNER LED STRAIGHT-TALKING APPROACH

www.mgraccountants.ie | info@mgraccountants.ie Limerick 061 208050

Ennis 065 682 9544

Nenagh 067 53822

Infinity Vision Limited t/a McKeogh Gallagher Ryan is authorised by Chartered Accountants Ireland www.limerickchamber.ie to carry on Investment Business. Registered in Ireland No 543732.

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WORKING FOR YOU

Limerick Chamber Policy Spotlight The Limerick Chamber policy team has had a busy start to 2022. To kick off the year, Limerick Chamber welcomed Seán Golden to the policy team to lead policy strategy going forward. Getting a running start on the year, the team has already made two submissions for proposed government plans.

The first was a submission on the Draft Clare Development with the emphasis on the proposed Strategic Development Zone in the south of Clare, including a university town for the University of Limerick. The Chamber has also made a submission in the second- phase consultation of the Offshore Wind Deployment strategy by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

The team has a strong pipeline of work in the coming year, including the Midwest Economic Insights report, which, after an absence in September, is back again for spring/summer 2022. This report will provide detailed insights into the performance of the Midwest region, giving insights into key issues in Limerick and the greater region such as housing, employment, and enterprise.

The Limerick Chamber Development Pipeline is also a core deliverable for the policy team. This is an exciting project as it will help in providing both the public and businesses with clear and concise information and updates on key projects taking place in and around Limerick City.

In addition, the team will support the implementation of the recommendations put forward in the Future Limerick Report, which was undertaken by Indecon on behalf of Limerick Chamber.

The Limerick Chamber policy team takes pride in addressing key policy issues in the region through evidence-based policy research, stakeholder engagement, and lobbying at local, national and European level. The policy team looks forward to engaging with the local business community to better understand how we can strive for a stronger business environment in this period of regeneration.

The Limerick Chamber Policy team includes: Seán Golden: Chief Economist / Director of Policy Seán Golden joined the Chamber team in 2022. Prior to taking up his position at the Chamber, Seán worked as the Economist with the Land Development Agency (LDA), leading their policy and economic research function as well as leading Project Tosaigh, the LDA’s homebuilding partnership. He also previously held the position of Senior Economist with Ernst & Young (EY), where he provided economic consultancy services to a range of organisations across the public and private sector. Prior to joining EY, he worked with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform / Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) as an Economist. He also spent several years in retail banking with Bank of Ireland.

Seán holds an MSc in Economic Analysis from University of Limerick where he received the Northern Trust Outstanding Scholar Award. He also holds a BBS in Economic and Finance from the University of Limerick. Seán is active in the voluntary sector in Limerick and has worked with the European Expo 2020, Lean on Me and MyMind.

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Diarmuid O’Shea: Economist / Policy Analyst Diarmuid O’Shea joined the Chamber team in 2021. Prior to this, Diarmuid worked in financial services and completed his MSc in Economics and Policy Analysis at the University of Limerick. He also holds a BA in Economics and Sociology from University of Limerick. Diarmuid has a keen interest in policy analysis, higher education research, regional development, and sustainable transport models, as well as how the Midwest can leverage its rich natural resources to ensure a steady supply of clean energy.

Member Information Harnessing the chamber to help you grow your network and generate leads: •

Adding your employees and colleagues to the member information centre will ensure you have listed a point of contact and you are in receipt of the biweekly

•

newsletter

All members oversee their membership details and representative listings via the member information

centre, please ensure all reps listed are up to date and •

•

•

Check out Limerick Chamber on YouTube for a database of expert led webinars regarding an array of topics from Leadership, to HR, Legal and Financial

Generate profile by sponsoring events, presenting topics to the chamber team or alternatively be apart of our Chamber Connect Magazine

Questions about making the most of your membership?

Contact Dermot Graham today: d.graham@limerickchamber.ie or call 061 415 180

current

Be a part of the community!

within the membership via the member information

Follow Limerick Chamber on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin and Facebook

You can promote news, offers, events and job postings centre, this displays to all members and features in our biweekly newsletter, you can also email en mass the

• •

membership via your Member Information Account

All members can contribute events or news items free of charge in our newsletter

All members have access to request the new member

spotlight feature on our website and exhibit stand

at our upcoming events (more details via www.

•

• •

limerickchamber.ie)

Find a database of member led knowledge sharing webinars via Limerick Chamber YouTube page

Members events are hosted monthly to assist the

Get the latest news items and priority event bookings via Limerick Chamber Twitter and LinkedIn

engaging with each other.

Check out www.limerickchamber.ie for all training, events, lobby items, presentations and more

members

Reach out to our team today if you have any requests, queries or suggestions

chamber network in meeting regularly and actively Skillnet training is provided at a discount rate for all Tag Limerick Chamber social channels for a like and share

www.limerickchamber.ie

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SECTOR EXPERT

FINANCIAL SECTOR EXPERT

ESG Holds the Key to the Future for SMEs Whether you’re a veteran sustainability champion or you’re newer to the conversation, you have probably noticed that there are three letters that seem to be occupying the minds of businesses and investors across the world: ESG. In a relatively short span of time ESG has been catapulted from a peripheral concern to the centre of business life, impacting on the cost of finance, customer loyalty and employee engagement. It also highlights a whole host of operational risks that were poorly considered by businesses before.

But what is ESG and why should businesses care about it? Is it just the most recent corporate fad or is it here to stay?

ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance, and in short it is a lens through which to measure and assess the sustainability of a business. At a minimum it’s ensuring that your business isn’t doing any harm but many businesses are going beyond this to ensure that their activities are truly sustainable in the long term and seeking to create a better world.

VHI 360

Environmental factors are focused firstly on minimising a firm's impact on the environment with a particular focus on climate change, but also on minimising the risk posed by a changing climate on the business. An environmentally sustainable business will meet its own needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

HEALTHCARE

Social factors are focused on equity and fairness, human rights, workplace safety, employee engagement, and data privacy. A socially conscious business will benefit from greater employee satisfaction, talent and customer retention, and brand integrity.

In January, Vhi announced the opening of its Vhi 360 Health factors Centre focus in Limerick.

Situated inmanageRaheen Governance on the leadership, Business Park, the centre offersand rapid access to ment philosophy, internal controls, risk manageurgentFirms care with for minor injuries and illnesses, along with ment. strong governance programs mitigate a range of health and wellbeing delivered by risk, promote ethics and drive longservices term business growth. a multidisciplinary team.

Although a lot of conversation around ESG tends to focus on large corporates who have a global impact, it is just as The opening of the Vhi 360 Health Centre is an important for SME’s to be thinking about sustainability. It evolution of the successful Vhi SwiftCare Clinic isn’t just a lofty ideal, it is now a business imperative: service, which has grown rapidly over the past 12 years. Delivering an entirely new approach to care, Your Customers Care ❶ the team will work together, taking your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing intothe consideration We are pretty familiar at this stage with idea of custo build an integrated, personalised plan centred tomers voting with their wallets, but businesses are now around you.discerning The rangeabout of services includes: increasingly where available they’re spending 360 health by referral through urgent care, their money.coaching ESG requires a business to look beyond its primary care services for those attending the centre, as well as physiotherapy, radiology and orthopaedic follow up.

Smart business advisors 14 12

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own operations to ensure ethical and sustainable behaviour in its supply chain and so B2B organisations need to ensure that they can demonstrate this to their customers.

❷ Your Funders Care In 2021 a coalition of global banks, insurers, pension funds, and other funders committed USD $100 trillion to help achieve a transition to net zero by 2050. This coalition, representing 40% of the world's banking assets, will be seeking to deploy capital on an unprecedented scale towards sustainable finance. In Ireland, many funders are already offering reduced rates for ‘green loans’, while also increasing screening for ESG risks around general lending and linking cost of finance to these risks. In the future, failure to be sustainable will come at a higher financing cost.

❸ Your Employees Care With the global war for talent intensifying prospective employees are looking beyond a paycheck and asking themselves if their potential employers align with their ethics. In a recent survey 44% of Millennials and 49% of Gen Z’s made career choices based on their personal ethics in the last two years. With these generations projected to make up three quarters of the workforce by 2030, organisations that don’t behave ethically are likely to come under increasing pressure in the coming years.

❹ The Government Cares The Irish Government has committed to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. It has also made international commitments through the Paris Climate Agreement as well as committing to legally Dr Lynda Keaveney, Vhi 360 Health Centre, Clinical binding targets under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Director says: “Our mission at Vhi is to help our customers Development (Amendment) Act. In order to achieve and patients lead longer, stronger, healthier lives. We these ambitions, it will deploy both a carrot and a stick have a proven track record in introducing innovative, approach through taxes and incentives. Businesses that customer-focussed services which helps to provide a are most adaptable will capitalise on the opportunities more efficient and better patient experience.” presented by these changes.

Vhi’s rangeour of vision experts includes team ofand health At BDO is to inspire,aeducate leadcoaches, an some of whommovement are basedforinsustainable their Limerick centre, who unstoppable business prachave experience providing health ticeyears in ourof markets and ininour organisation.

Weadvice are onyou can truly trust. expertsand canwith help matter what a journey bothTheir for ourselves ourno clients to use our expertise to create a better and more sustainable world now and for future generations. Get in touch with our team and uncover your business’s potential.

Brian Haugh Corporate Finance & Sustainability bhaugh@bdo.ie 061 464 855

IN LIMERICKN MOTIO LIMERICK

THE SITE HERE IN LIMERIC K IS ONE OF VISION CARE’S SCALE MANUF LARGEACTURING OPERAT IONS FOR THE CONTACT LENS BUSINESS.

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IN MOTIO

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

King John’s Castle

Step inside the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark – King John’s Castle. Discover the stories of ruthless King John, the noble knights, and rebellious natives. New for 2021, try your hand at the castle’s new series of medieval courtyard games including medieval archery, tug o war, horseshoe throwing, quoits, our medieval seesaw and more.

On selected dates visitors also have the opportunity to descend the walls of this formidable fortress and take in stunning views over the River Shannon and Limerick City with the all new King John’s Castle Abseil Experience. For more information visit www.kingjohnscastle.com

ic Wild Atlant Taming the y able Energ for Renew

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JOHNSO N & JOHN SON VISION CA RE – Celebrating 25 Years in Lim erick

Mozart & Strauss

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TO BOOK CALL 061 463600 OR VISIT WWW.ABSOLUTEHOTEL.COM

We look forward to welcoming back Jörg Widmann for Mozart & Strauss at UCH in September. The ICO emerge from darkness into light with Mozart’s C Fugue. The healing Adagio reminiscent of a French overture is filled with bold, expressive progressions whilst the Fugue, rolls on relentlessly to its close. Richard Strauss’s post-war masterpiece Metamorphosen is seen as an impassioned heart cry for the death of German culture. The title was inspired by Goethe’s essay On the Metamorphosis of Plants, and his ravishing composition evokes themes of rebirth, growth and transformation. There are strong parallels to the music as we emerge from the trauma of Covid with a huge sense of renewal and hope. See www.irishchamberorchstra.com for concert details in due course.

McKeogh independe Gallagher Ryan is the nt group of Kilkenny Arts larg est professio 2021 accountingFestival nals and taxthe ICO is excited at Kilkenny, personal, in the MidwesAst.orchestra-in-residence Ourtoser and delighted collaborate this year with the amazing client-foc vices arein Róisín Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh ussedtraditional and singer Re-imagined.

Sean Nós singing is enjoying a revival. par Our expert tner-le Kilkenny Arts Festival and the Irish d.

Chamber Orchestra teams of have co-commissioned special arrangements from six tax

consultantsleading Irish composers including Cormac McCarthy, Paul and advisor , audLinda Buckley, s are read Campbell, itor Sam Perkin, Niamh Varian-Barry s, acc y to disc ountantO’Connor, and Michael Keeney. Produced by Dónal Roisin uss s your nee Reimagined explores the connections ds. between classical Lime rick 061 2080 50

Ennis 065 682 9544

www.mgra ccou

ntants.ie

University Concert Hall

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and traditional music, reimagining these timeless songs for a new era. We hope this online performance stimulates new interest in the Classical Sean Nós repertoire. It will be Nena gh streamed from 13 August for a limited period.

067 5382 2 www.kilkennyarts.ie/programme/roisin-reimagined

| info@mgra ccou

ntants.ie

For a quarter of a century University Concert Hall has been entertaining the people of Limerick and the wider Mid-West Region. In that time the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy, music, theatre and family entertainment while also supporting, and providing a platform for local and community organisations. While UCH is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, Friends Memberships are a great way to continue to support the venue and the Arts in the local community. Friends also enjoy a host of benefits include no booking fees, priority booking and discounted tickets. As UCH works towards re-opening, Friends will enjoy all of these perks for some big name acts in 2022 including the High Kings, Imelda May, Jason Manford and Spring Operas.

For full details on becoming a Friend of UCH or to see what’s on visit uch.ie

www.limerickcha

mber.ie

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T’S & C’S APPLY & SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

Are you interested in being apart of

our next edition of Chamber Connect

Limerick Chamber is calling you!

All company details and employee’s listed are owned by the company who is listed in the account- We urge all members to frequently update their representative listings, and company details via Member Information Centre.

Magazine due out August/September 2022?

Get involved and gain profile! Share news with the midwest, gain profile and showcase expertise- get involved today and contact cmoloney@limerikchamber.ie or dgraham@limerickchamber.ie

Employee’s listed under each company account will receive the newsletter (issued bi-weekly). All employees listed will also receive event notifications and press releases. Please ensue you have checked your spam to ensure you are in receipt of the above.

Chamber Connect is available to members via Limerick Chamber Offices based 96 O’Connell St Limerick.

Our Magazine is hosted on www.limerickchamber.ie The magazine is shared across Limerick Chamber Social Channels and to all visitors to Limerick Chamber offices.

You can list as many representatives on the Member Information Centre as you wish. This ensures a number of departments or key staff have access to Limerick Chamber benefits.

An edition is also issued to all Strategic Partners and Members with high footfall.

KCIREMIL

REBMAHC

1202events REMMUS Each company can add their own andTnews C E Nwithin NOC the membership.

Limerick Chamber will now feature member companies on our website for a limited time with logo’s, company details, and intro segment. This will be our member highlight area.

KCIREMIL NOITOM NI

KCIREMIL You will also have the opportunity for profile via our Grow REBMAHC GNIKROW UOY expertise ROF GNIPAHS Your Business section a free section to input ERUTUF content from our member companies.

KCIREMIL GNICARBME YTINUTROPPO

ycilop ruO yenruoj

KCIREMIL REBMAHC GNITCENNOC RUO YTINUMMOC

sredlohekats yek kciremiL a fo noisiv a erahs kciremiL erutuf

We will also be offering spotlight area’s at our future events for selected number to profile and exhibit their company in the registration/networking area of our events.

Get in touch with our team if you have any idea’s, feedback, suggestions or if you would like to be listed for the above.

Our launch edition of Chamber Connects garnered 9,160 Impressions, with 722 digital reads, over 400 copies were issued within the Chamber Membership.

www.limerickchamber.ie

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90% of Irish businesses are behind on their Digital Transformation Journey ActionPoint’s H2 2021 Digital Transformation Index Report reveals key insights into the digitalisation of businesses ActionPoint, Ireland’s leading digital transformation services firm and a member of the Viatel Group, have revealed data from the second half of last year to highlight where Irish businesses currently are with implementing their digital strategy.

Of the remaining 90% of companies surveyed by ActionPoint, over half would be considered “digitally purposeful” i.e. they have well-documented IT plans, understand and utilise data and are in a strong position post-covid to strengthen their digital strategy.

In February 2022, the Irish Government launched Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework.

In their report, ambitious targets were set out for the digitalisation of Irish businesses, including the goal to have 90% of SMEs at basic digital intensity by 2030 and 75% enterprise take-up in cloud, AI and Big Data.

However, the report found that there still remains a high level of Irish businesses far from this point of digital maturity, with 37% of Irish businesses defined as digitally ‘reactive’. These identified as having somewhat clear IT priorities and being reactive to their IT needs rather than taking a proactive approach, which is needed in a fast changing environment. There are fears that such companies can be left behind compared to competitors who are proactively looking at ways to strengthen their digital presence and ensure both customers and employees have a meaningful experience.

ActionPoint’s H2 2021 Digital Transformation Index Report, which surveyed 248 respondents across a mix of small, mid-size and large Irish companies across 18 industries including Financial Services, Technology and Manufacturing and Construction found that only 10% of Irish businesses are currently digitally ‘strategic’ or ‘optimised’ when it comes to digital maturity. This means that they have a digital led business strategy and are at the peak of their digital transformation journey.

25%

of respondents are using advanced analytics

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MAIN SPONSOR FEATURE Digital Transformation and the power of data There were mixed results when it came to organisations using analytics to understand customers better, with 41% of respondents noting that they “had used analytics to better understand the customer” and a third of respondents saying they were unsure if it assisted them.

However, by utilising technology 51% of respondents believed it improved customer loyalty.

Speaking on the survey results David Jeffreys, CEO and Co-Founder of ActionPoint said, “The Covid-19 pandemic forced Irish businesses to digitalise and re-evaluate their IT needs from an internal as well as customer-facing perspective.

David Jeffreys, CEO, ActionPoint

Digital Transformation & Employee Experience Employee Experience (EX) covers a broad field that is influenced by culture, physical workspace and of course, technology. Technology is now the epicentre of the majority of businesses and EX technological solutions such as software, learning tools and user experience and design elements impact how employees view you and your workplace. More and more, this experience is having an influence on whether employees choose to stay with your company long-term or not.

Considering the current recruitment market, it may come as a surprise that only 15% of organisations are investing in EX technology solutions. It’s crucial that businesses ask themselves why EX is not a bigger motivator for technology investment as it is fast becoming a key metric to a company being considered an attractive, progressive place to work.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in a shift to a remote or hybrid model of work, only 51% of respondents are effectively using ‘Collaboration & Communication Platforms’ in their business which empower employees to communicate seamlessly while working together on projects online.

w: www.actionpoint.ie t: (061) 337 632

“Around a quarter of respondents are using advanced analytics which is encouraging as companies look to harness customer data to adapt and improve products and services. For the rest, there are some quick-wins in the area of Data Intelligence using tools like PowerBI.” “A real positive from these results is that Irish companies are aware of the critical nature of data and information security. This is obviously something that has been a prominent topic for a number of years and of course, will continue as we do more of our business virtually. The fact that a high percentage of Irish businesses also believe they are GDPR compliant is also to be welcomed and goes to show that Irish businesses are taking the right steps as they progress on their digital transformation journey.”

“However, with the Government’s national digital strategy, ‘Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework’, it has set the bar very high and our report demonstrates that there is still a lot of work to be done to close the gaps within the market. This includes businesses designing and implementing digital skills plans for their current and future employees and an overall more proactive approach to IT needs including more sophisticated CX tools, a digitally empowered Employee Experience and working towards a data-led business model,” concluded Jeffreys.

Respondents to ActionPoint’s survey included C-Level Executives, Board Members, Company Directors and Business Owners from right across the country. actionpoint.ie/dti-report-2022 www.limerickchamber.ie

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Cheaper fares on Bus Éireann services from April 11th Even more reasons to use TFI services: • Bus Éireann fares are reducing by an average of 20% • Bus Éireann Student Leap Card single fares are reducing by 50% • Monthly and annual Taxsaver tickets are reducing by 20% on taxsaver.ie Use the TFI apps to plan or pay for your journey, and enjoy cleaner, greener and cheaper travel.

For more information on these fare reductions, visit: transportforireland.ie

Brought to you by the Government of Ireland.

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By Leanne Storan Director, Tax and Law and Eanna Brennan, Director, Strategy, EY Limerick.

Digitalisation can be a great leveller for Irish SMEs Irish SMEs have responded to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic by accelerating online and digital initiatives and placing an increased focus on sustainability. These are among the main findings of the latest global EY SME survey which showed that although 82% of Irish SMEs have been negatively impacted by the pandemic to date, the resulting disruption has also amplified opportunities for digitalisation and a pivot toward the development of more sustainable business models. Indeed, more than half (54%) of those surveyed plan to change business models in response to new market conditions.

The EY survey examined the impact of the pandemic on more than 5,600 SMEs in 16 countries across the world, including 310 in Ireland.

The largely positive response to the challenges thrown up by the pandemic is particularly heartening for a country like Ireland where SMEs form the bedrock of the economy, accounting for 99% of active businesses and employing around 68% of the private sector workforce.

The importance of the SME sector to the Mid-West region is even more profound. According to the 2020 CSO Business Demography survey, SMEs in the Mid-West employed around 122,000 people, accounting for 82% of total business employment in the region.

While every Irish SME has been impacted by the pandemic to one extent or another, it is interesting to note that 13% of them say it has had a positive impact on their business.

Furthermore, 21% have seen only a slightly negative impact and have been able to perform well despite the pressure and the uncertainty.

Unsurprisingly, revenue and profit margins were the areas hardest hit. However, 45% of Irish SMEs said there was actually no change in their revenue or that they had seen turnover increase despite the pandemic. A similar number (47%) said there had been no change in their profit margins or that they had seen an increase. And 79% of Irish SMEs said that their brand reputation had either remained intact or improved.

Many of these impacts are likely to be short-term or transient in nature. As we move on from the pandemic and Brexit, SMEs will have to meet new challenges presented by an increasingly competitive global marketplace. In that light, the longerterm effects of the disruption experienced over the past two years are to be welcomed. Irish SMEs have responded by accelerating digitalisation initiatives with more than a third (36%) of them reimagining their business processes online, and one in 10 (11%) planning to move to an e-commerce or online-only model.

That gathering momentum will have long term positive impacts for Irish SMEs generally, and for the highly exportfocused SME community in the Mid-West in particular. For

a long time, Irish SMEs have found themselves effectively locked out of a range of markets such as fashion, health and beauty, consumer products, and food and beverage due to high entry costs and highly competitive established brands.

Local entrepreneurs with innovative, original products with well-crafted brands and a clear understanding of their customers and their needs are using digital tools to establish a market presence and voice. Authenticity of brand and product, deep understanding of target markets and skilled and persistent digital engagement with customers are critical to unlocking online growth and entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Mid West region have shown themselves well capable of doing all of this on a global basis during the pandemic.

In short, digitalisation has the power to act as a great leveller which allows local SMEs to take on global brands and win. It also has enabled businesses to withstand disruption and take advantage of the opportunities thrown up in its wake.

The pandemic may have uncovered levels of digital exposure that many businesses didn’t realise they had, but organisations with sophisticated digital platforms and systems were able to react quickly with less disruption – both in terms of flipping to remote working with no notice, but also in how they served their customers and their ability to continue to generate revenue.

Sophisticated technology, data and systems are increasingly what help businesses differentiate themselves from the pack in today’s world. Today’s high-growth businesses are firmly focused on digital customer experience, CRM, supply chain optimisation, and projects that utilise technologies like AI and robotic process automation to improve business efficiency.

And these technologies are now available within the cloud on a pay as you use service model bringing them within the reach of even the smallest SMEs. Of course, the impact of the pandemic has by no means been uniform. We only have to look at hospitality and tourism businesses here in the Mid-West to witness at first hand how some sectors have suffered more than others. That said, businesses that invested in their digital capabilities, both from operating and sales perspectives, have found the necessary changes in business and operating models more achievable.

Finally, it was also encouraging to see that 60% of Irish SMEs say that running a sustainable business is very or extremely important to them. It is clear that health and wellbeing as well as environmental sustainability have increased in consumer consciousness. SMEs that can demonstrate how they can make a difference in these areas are more likely to prosper rather than succumb to threats in this regard. www.limerickchamber.ie

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WORKING FOR YOU

Meet our Groundbreakers Spring is well and truly underway in Limerick, bringing with it sunshine, daffodils and a much-needed boost in the region’s mood after two tumultuous years.

The Limerick Chamber worked shoulder-to-shoulder with our community during this time. We were honoured to be in a position to offer support to help deal with the challenges, and only too glad to celebrate our members’ many successes, too.

The Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards presented just such an opportunity last November.

The tenth annual event offered an afternoon of well-deserved praise and recognition for the many business owners, presidents, directors and executives who shepherded their teams through the toughest of economic environments. Co-hosted

by The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS), the awards were designed to acknowledge companies in the local region who strive for success each

of Limerick and Limerick City and County Council.

With the new year in full swing, Limerick Chamber caught up with some of the winners of the 2021 Regional Business Awards to see what impact the recognition had on them and their teams.

Croom Precision Medical was named overall Business of the Year 2021 – becoming the first SME in the awards’ history to gain the title. The County Limerick-based company designs and manufactures components for the global medical device industry.

The firm, established in 1984 by Paddy Byrnes, specialises in precision engineering, including machining and handling precious metals for use in sterile environments. In 2018, Paddy’s son Patrick took the helm, joining the family business after a successful career with Stryker. The next three years were something of a baptism of fire for Patrick: “We had preparations in place to deal with Brexit, but COVID-19 came as quite a surprise,” he says. “We’re primarily focused on elective surgeries – hip

day – to recognise their hard work, commitment and innovative approach and to celebrate their contribution to the growth of their industry and in turn the region itself. Additional and much-valued sponsors included AIB, Holmes, Skillnet, BDO, Ernst & Young, Northern Trust, University

or knee replacements, for example – which were largely cancelled during the early days of the pandemic. Sales were hit hard, and we’re still not back to pre-2020 levels.”

That said, the firm continued to grow despite these challenges, mainly due to their 38-year commitment to

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innovation, investment expansion, strategic acquisition and service performance – all key factors in the Awards judging process. A focus on research and development in particular started to pay key dividends, with 3D-printed implants becoming a core offering. “We’re lucky that we’re undergoing a period of rapid growth at the moment,” Patrick says, “which means we’ve more than doubled our workforce to 100 people and we’re actively expanding our facilities to handle the increase in demand.”

The Limerick Chamber Business of the Year Award brought very specific benefits, Patrick says, not least the opportunity to celebrate in person: “The ceremony was one of the first social interactions we had since the beginning of the pandemic,” Patrick points out. “It was really great to catch up with the Limerick Chamber team, to connect with the sponsors, and spend time with the local business community”. The accolade also plays an important role in recruitment, which, as most of our members can attest, is an increasingly challenging part of operations. For Patrick and Croom Precision Medical, being an award-winner “helps to attract the best talent – they want to come and work in a dynamic, exciting environment, a place where every day is different and the work is recognised and lauded by respected organisations such as Limerick Chamber”.

“The geographical location of the Mid-Western region is great for us, in terms of connectivity with the United States,” Patrick says, “but the real benefit is the labour pool of highly qualified team members from universities such as UL and TUS, and multinationals such as Johnson and Johnson or Stryker.”

Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation & Enterprise at TUS, understands all too well how important education, training and upskilling is to employers in the region. “We constantly engage with industry and listen to their needs, responding with a variety of solutions including apprenticeships, flexible postgrads and short advanced programmes such as microcredentials,” she says. “We’re seeing lots of innovation and new ways of learning in the educational sector to help solve companies’ problems. That’s something we can be really proud of in our region.”

Gillian oversees the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards judging process, which is carried out under well-established codes of governance. The Chamber themselves are not involved in the judging – it’s outsourced to an independent panel of judges, to avoid any possibility of bias and ensure careful quality control. “The judges bring remarkable expertise and experience,” she says, pointing out that they tend to be drawn from the highest echelons in their industries. “They’re there from a business support perspective — they give their time for free to the Limerick Chamber to help the economic and social development in the community.” Judges of the 2021 awards included Lorna Conn, Deputy CEO of CPL Resources (Chairperson),

Liam Woulfe, CEO of Grassland Agro, and Sean Lally, Manager and CoOwner of Hotel Woodstock.

Having been involved in the Awards since their inception ten years ago, Gillian has seen them develop and iterate over time. “We work hard to ensure that the categories are genuinely meaningful – the criteria brings in a national and local strategic perspective as well as aspects of company development and innovation that are relevant to the current business context. All of this

Organisations need to shape, adapt, and renew their underlying business model on a continuous basis to stay competitive. The Chamber recognised the team behind Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa for their demonstrable breakthrough success in pivoting and reinventing their long-established family business. Through agile strategy, judicious use of assets and carefully-adapted capabilities, they were able to leverage a new opportunity that led to business sustainability during COVID-19 as well as growth and job creation in the hard-hit hospitality sector.

No strangers to innovation, the Fitzgerald family have seen their four-bedroomed bed and breakfast blossom over four decades into a four-star hotel with 94 rooms and a 250-strong workforce. Now led by matriarch Mary Fitzgerald and her children, David, Elaina, Conor and Richard, and daughter-in-law Orla, the Adare-based resort encompasses a spa, leisure centre, as well as 40 acres of lush woodlands and organic gardens. It was this outside space that lent the inspiration for their remarkable pivot during the

fosters an exceptional level of trust, and means the Limerick Chamber award is a respected and muchcoveted accolade.”

This is echoed by Elaina Fitzgerald, Director of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, which won the Best Pandemic Pivot Award 2021. “To get that recognition from your peers, and the Limerick business community in particular, is a huge source of pride to us all,” Elaina recalls. “It’s an acknowledgment of our team, what they have achieved and how we overcame so many barriers during challenging times.”

pandemic.

“While we were confined to a fivekilometre limit, we were conscious that we had a great space for people to safely take in some fresh air, clear their heads and enjoy the great outdoors,” Elaina recalls, “Then we thought offering a simple coffee and pastry would be an opportunity to bring back some of our team.” Over the next two years, that ‘coffee and pastry’ combination would morph into The Treehouse, an all-weather family-friendly experience that offers Scoops ice-cream, Farmhand coffee, New York-style pizza and private www.limerickchamber.ie

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dining at the cosy and comfortable Tree Huts.

“It didn’t start as a commercial opportunity at all, but we couldn’t have anticipated the take-up,” Elaina says. “Within two weeks we had twenty people employed by the Tree House; it gave them and our guests a place to go, a sense of purpose, and a way to stay connected to their community – safely.” As then-president of the Irish Hotels Federation, Elaina was acutely aware of the challenges the hospitality industry was facing at that time, and worked to make sure that her team was supported. The family ran ‘Wellness Wednesday’ Zoom calls that checked in on staff members, providing resources in terms of social connection, employment advice, and in particular, further education opportunities. “We encouraged our teams to get into the zone of upskilling,” she says, “That meant engaging in infectious disease and protection training, offering bespoke educational programmes, and helping staff work cross-functionally, making the best use of whatever individual skills or talents they have.”

In a stroke of bad luck, Elaina and her siblings tested positive for COVID-19

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while the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards were taking place in November. Fortunately, their mother Mary was in fine health, and she was able to collect the prestigious award in person. “On a personal level, it was just the lift we needed while we were all under the weather,” Elaina remembers. “The prizes or accolades that matter the most to you are the ones that tie in with your own values: this award was local, chosen by the business community, and in recognition of the hard work, dedication and pure passion of our team. It was a very special moment.”

Other award-winners have experienced significant growth since taking home Limerick Chamber titles.

Musical app Huggnote – founded

by Limerick sisters Jacqui and Perry Meskell – won Best Emerging Business in 2021 while also acquiring 300,000 users in 205 countries and a $50,000 pitching prize on a US TV show called Two Minute Drill. A Limerick stalwart for many years, Analog won Best Employer and Best Overall company in 2019 and has since developed ground-breaking diversity, empowerment and sustainability initiatives within their workforce.

“There’s nothing better than the Chamber Awards ceremony,” Gillian Barry says. ”It’s a place for contemporaries to meet, network with new people, and do plenty of business – while having the craic as well. It’s a really lovely celebration of achievement, and an important occasion for reconnection.”

Limerick Chamber CEO Dee Ryan recalls that the 2021 Awards were extra-special for a number of reasons. “There is always a lot of industry interest and media attention

around our awards, which represent a key event on the region’s business calendar. It’s fair to say, though, that the 2021 ceremony had a deeper meaning, coming during a traumatic time for people in business, a period of immense and sudden change.

That so many have adapted so well is testament to the people in those businesses and, indeed, the solidarity shown across the region. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional resilience of the nominees and winners – all of whom didn’t just survive the pandemic, but found innovative and inspirational ways to thrive.”

The Limerick Chamber is proud to have played a pivotal role in supporting the Limerick City and County business community, through difficult challenges and exciting opportunities.

From facilitating valuable training to hosting annual awards, the Chamber continues to work to represent all of its members, serving to make our stakeholders’ voices heard at a local and national level and building towards a bright and prosperous future for the midwest region.

LEGAL SECTOR EXPERT CORNER

From Pandemic to Endemic: What are the obligations on Employers now?

The phased return to physical attendance in the workplace is well underway. While the Government/ statutory bodies provide general guidance, employers must review their policies and work out specific measures, in consultation with employees, to ensure the safe operation of their workplace in line with prevailing governmental advice. Employers should have a tailored business COVID-19 Response Plan, an occupational health and safety risk assessment and a safety statement, which stipulates, how to deal with a suspected case/outbreak of COVID-19 and the dedicated personnel.

Employers should continue to implement good practices which support a safe working environment, e.g. good infection prevention and control measures such as hand/respiratory hygiene, regular cleaning/ ventilation, displaying information in relation to same, providing, as reasonably practicable, hygiene products, PPE etc. Also, while maintaining a two-metre physical distance and mask wearing in certain settings are no longer mandatory, such requirements continue to be good practice, particularly in shared/crowded areas or with high/very high risk employees.

For many employers, the last two years have been a forced experiment in terms of the suitability of their operations for remote working. At present, unless stipulated in an employment contract, employees do not have an automatic right to work remotely. The Government has asked employers to develop longerterm arrangements for blended/remote working having regard to their operational requirements. The draft Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 has been published but has not yet become law. It provides that employers must have a written Remote Working Policy, dealing with management of remote working requests and the conditions applicable. If a request is refused, the employee must wait 12 months to submit another request, unless the employee moves to a new role internally. The employer must stipulate a response time of no more than 12 weeks. There is a minimum service requirement of six months before submitting a request. Employers may refuse a request for remote working if there are reasonable grounds, which include but are not limited to; the nature of the work may be unsuitable, cannot reorganise work among existing staff, potential negative impact on quality and/or performance, planned structural changes, burden of additional costs, concerns re: the protection

of business confidentiality/intellectual property/ suitability of the proposed workspace on health and safety grounds/data protection grounds/internet connectivity, inordinate geographical distance, conflict with collective agreement, ongoing/recent formal disciplinary processes. Employees may appeal to the Workplace Relations Commission for employer failure to respond to a request/provide reasonable grounds for refusal or penalisation for making a request.

When agreeing an arrangement with an employee for remote working or a blended/hybrid work arrangement, employers, as a first step, employers should review existing policies, safety statement and employment contracts. To minimising potential liability, employers need robust policies that are communicated clearly to employees. Employers must be able to manage employees and their performance/conduct while working remotely, including provisions for review of the arrangement. Clear communication is required in terms of the parameters of the arrangement, duration, employee obligations, hours of work, requirements of the home office. Employers must be able to meet their legal obligations. Employers have a duty to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees including those working remotely. Employers need to consult with employees to ensure the employee is aware of any specific risks regarding working remotely, to implement a prearranged means of contact and to assess suitability of the work, workspace and equipment provided. Other obligations include keeping records of hours worked, leave, rest periods, breaks, without intruding on employee privacy. Employers will also need to consider confidentiality, GDPR obligations and necessary safeguards, cybersecurity, employer liability insurance.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with developing a policy or communication to your employees on remote/hybrid arrangements, please contact, Dervla Beirne, Solicitor, Sellors LLP.

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WE BACK BRAVE We know it takes a certain kind of brave to run your Business. We see it, and we back it with specialist teams dedicated to your business needs.

Drop into your local branch in Clare or Limerick and talk to our Business Advisors.

Call or email Damien Garrihy, Business Banking Clare Limerick on 086 857 6992 or damien.p.garrihy@aib.ie

Click on business.aib.ie to make an appointment.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

LIMERICK 26

CHAMBER CONNECT

VHI VERIFIED

HEALTH SECTOR EXPERT

How to spot and solve burnout Close to burning out? How to spot the signs and take back control at work While “burnout” can feel like a fairly new phenomenon, it’s a condition that can last a lot longer than standard stress. Vhi Health Coach Dr. Diarmaid Fitzgerald shines a light on a uniquely work-based phenomenon and gives you the tools to find a clear route out of it.

“Burnout” has been officially recognised as a clinical condition since 2019, but it can still carry connotations of just being the latest buzzword for “stress”. In fact, it’s a unique phenomenon that allows us to get to the heart of a very modern problem. So, the first thing to know about burnout is that it comes directly from chronic workplace stress, even if its effects can spill over into the rest of your life.

It has three dimensions: overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of negativity or cynicism for the job, and reduced effectiveness at work. It’s normal to experience occasional stress if you’re particularly busy or facing looming deadlines. But true burnout occurs when your stress levels go beyond that point and simply won’t subside. It manifests as something you’re constantly carrying. It’s always there.

What symptoms should you look for?

Burnout can be tricky to pinpoint. It’s not necessarily something where you wake up one morning and realise you have it. It will manifest over time. So, if you think you might be on the verge – or in the midst!

– of burnout, take a step back and ask yourself these questions: Does work regularly make me anxious or stressed?

Am I reluctant to go into work?

Have I noticed a loss of energy or concentration at work?

Do I feel cynical or irritable when it comes to work?

Am I experiencing an overall lack of job satisfaction?

If it’s truly burnout, these negative feelings shouldn’t be pervasive throughout your life, although you might have issues with sleep.

What can cause burnout?

Genetics can play a role. Some people are naturally more prone to “melancholy” and this can impact how the condition affects them psychologically. Poor diet can compound the problem. For instance, an iron deficiency can make you tired and exacerbate negative feelings. The same goes for a lack of Contact Details: T: (056) 444 4444 W: www.vhi.ie

exercise, so lifestyle factors definitely come into play.

That being said, it’s important to understand that burnout is primarily a situational problem. Maybe you feel pressured due to a lack of resources. You’re dealing with mounting expectations and feel that you’re working beyond your scope, or competency. You may find yourself answering work calls when you’re playing with your kids in the garden. You could be facing a conflict with colleagues or even workplace bullying. There’s a whole host of scenarios that will be personal to you, but the roots of burnout will always lie in your job.

What are useful coping techniques?

There are ways to alleviate stress and gain some perspective, better placing you to make positive changes in the longer term. Meditation is really useful for this, and there are a host of meditation apps that are easy, accessible ways in for people who haven’t done it before.

There are other simple techniques that don’t require an app. Before work, or when you catch a break, focus on your breathing. The 4-7-8 technique prolongs your exhalations to alleviate acute stress, relaxing your body by activating your nervous system’s healing state (known as the ‘parasympathetic state’). It’s as simple as breathing in for a count of 4, holding the breath for 7, then releasing it over a count of 8. That should be effective in helping you reset in the short-term.

www.limerickchamber.ie

27

You can practice mindfulness by “grounding” yourself, getting you out of your head and into the present. So, sit quietly and think: what can I see? Focus on that. What can I hear? What can I touch? You can even do it while you’re eating, by being a bit more deliberate and focusing on what you can taste.

Building resilience – your mental toughness or ability to handle challenges – can better equip you to deal with burnout. Mindfulness exercises aid this, as will making sure your physical wellbeing is being looked after. So, try to find the right self-care routine, with a healthy diet, regular exercise and solid sleep hygiene. The latter means that, even if your sleep is disrupted, you’re sticking to a schedule, putting away devices and removing blue light in the lead up to bed, giving you the best chance for a restful night. Try to prioritise tasks so that, once you clock off, “work” and “home” won’t blend into one.

You can’t have resilience without the help of other people, either. This is where talking about your concerns is vital.

Are there colleagues you can lean on? Do you have a support network that you can tap into? Things like employee assistance programmes can be of great benefit if they’re available. The main thing is to talk about your concerns, so chatting through your situation and overall health with your GP is definitely recommended.

Tackling the wider issues As well as managing yourself in the moment, you need to think about the big picture. Remember: addressing burnout is not all about you. Consider the issue you’re facing, whether it’s increased workload, an overstretched team or a lack of support. Is there something you can do to take control of the situation? Can you get additional resources to help you solve the issue? Is it time to speak to your employer?

This can feel daunting but remember that we all experience work stress from time to time. List your responsibilities and workload beforehand – it will reinforce how your situation is unmanageable and give you the confidence to advocate for yourself. Be open about how you are feeling and what you need to overcome it. It will benefit both of you in the long run.

It can help to reflect on similar situations you’ve faced to figure out your next move and gain perspective. Think about your overall vision for what you want to achieve with your career. Is this a role that can give you true gratification? Ultimately, that’s what you should be aiming for. Through it all, remind yourself that you are not defined by a project, role or title. The world is bigger than just work. And there’s plenty of help out there if you need it.

This content is for information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice from your GP or an appropriate medical professional if you have concerns about your health, or before commencing a new healthcare regime. If you believe that you are experiencing a medical emergency call 999 / 112 or seek emergency assistance immediately. you

28

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

Upcoming Events:

MAY

JUNE

Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards Launch 23rd2022 June 2022 7:30am registration- 9:30am.

Castletroy Park Hotel (in Person)

Creating Culture and engagement with Staff remotely webinar held in conjunction with Adare HR WEBINAR: Limerick Chamber/ Cork Chamber Connect Event

DAT FOR ES YO DIAR UR Y

JUNE WEBINAR: Harnessing Leadership as a key tool to attract, encourage and retain staff featuring guest speakers Ingenium Consultancy and Training and award winners: Best Employer Award 2021 Kirby Group

2022

AUGUST WORLD LACROSSE MEN’S U21 CHAMPIONSHIP 10th-20th August 22 Held at the University of Limerick

SEPTEMBER WEBINAR: SustainabilityPractical steps an SME can take to go green and save costs

OCTOBER LIVE EVENT: Joint PWC Budget Briefing Event

OCTOBER 2022

WEBINAR: Shortlist 2022 Announcement Event

2022

NOVEMBER 2022 WEBINAR: Application Support webinar with Gillian and Head Judge- featuring our 2021 winners

2022

NOVEMBER LIVE EVENT: Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards and Presidents Dinner 18th November Limerick Strand Hotel

2022 www.limerickchamber.ie

29

Lacrosse is an Olympic sport and is also one the fastest growing team sports in the world with more than 70 countries competing. Ireland consistently ranks among the top 10 teams in the world.

This summer the home of the current All-Ireland hurling champions will house a new brand of “small ball,” a sport that rivals hurling as “the fastest game on two feet.” The 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U2 l Championship will be held at the University of Limerick, August l 0-20. The internationa I tournament will showcase the best teams in the world from 23 countries and an estimated 50,000 spectators over the course of 10 days and nights, making it one of the largest sporting events in Limerick’s history.

Hurling and lacrosse have more than just speed in common. Both sports utilize sticks and a ball and feature non-stop action, plenty of scoring and hard hits ensuring that spectators will be entertained! Like hurling, lacrosse is also an ancient game. It was originally played by Native American tribes to resolve conflicts, heal the sick and prepare warriors for battle.

Speaking to the significance of the international tournament coming to Limerick, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “Hosting large, internationaI sports events produces millions in LIMERICK economic impact for Limerick and CHAMBER 30 CONNECT

underscores the importance of attracting events such as the Men’s U2 l Lacrosse World Championship, the Ryder Cup and others here in the future. I encourage local people and businesses to get behind this event and actively support the 2022 World Championship and demonstrate our world­ famous hospitality!”

Adding to the value of this massive event will be an international broadcast of approximately l 00 games -about l 0 each day - that will provide a tremendous promotional platform for Limerick, its businesses, and the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. Ireland Lacrosse, the National Governing Body of the sport, is responsible for producing the event. The non-profit’s mission is to develop the sport of lacrosse throughout the island of Ireland for both men and women and at all levels, from youth to adult. They are also responsible for managing Ireland’s 5 Men’s and Women’s National Teams. All proceeds from the World Championship will support Ireland Lacrosse and its mission.

Like all large events of this nature, sponsorship support is essential to achieve financial success. Ireland Lacrosse is offering affordable corporate sponsorship options that provide significant opportunities for brand exposure, merchandise sales, fan engagement, volunteering, hospitality and much more, all on an international stage.

Companies interested in learning about sponsorship can find information here: www.worldlax2022.com/partners

Looking to the future, strong business support of the Men’s U2 l World Lacrosse Championship will demonstrate to other large events searching for a future host location that Limerick is the right choice. The financial success of each subsequent event will serve to attract others and deliver more revenue and exposure to Limerick and the region. See you in August!

Bill Schoonmaker President MOTIVATE Sports Group E:Bill@MotivateSports.com M: 917-853-9941 STRATEGIC | CREATIVE. SOLUTIONS | MEASURABLE. RESULTS To learn more about how we help build brands and drive business, please visit our website: www.MotivateSports.com

LEO Limerick: Your First-Stop Shop for Business LEO Limerick is your first-stop shop for all new entrepreneurs and existing small and micro business owners. We provide information, grants and supports that can help you to grow your business. Contact us to find out about the range of supports and programmes available for businesses with up to 10 employees.

Find out more at www.localenterprise.ie/limerick or Tel. 061 557499

Green for Micro

Brexit Supports

Micro Finance Ireland

Women in Business

Priming and Business Expansion Grants

Agile Innovation

Management Development Programmes

Mentoring Services

Training

GradStart

Lean for Micro

Business Advice Clinics #Look for Local

Feasibility Grants

Trading Online Vouchers In partnership In partnership In partnership withwithwith

In partnership In partnership In partnership withwithwith

Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council

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31

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

NEW MEMBERS

LEGATO HEALTH IRELAND

BERNAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES

+353 87 283 6499 www.legato.com

BEST@ul.ie 061-237759 087 4146431

Dedicated Industry contact point connecting industry to research, academia and analytical infrastructure. Materials is our business, we offer Industry access to a diverse knowledge base and skilled expertise supported by over 1,000 instruments all in one place.

Industries we support are diverse and include – Manufacturing, Medical Device, Semi-Conductor, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Aerospace, Automotive, Food and raw materials. Engage with BEST, take a tour, experience our capabilities, collaborate, create, accelerate and succeed.

EVOLUTION CYCLES

083 4529370 www.evolutioncycles.ie We are a specialist bike repair company, winner of the Prestige Awards Best Bicycle Repair Service for Ireland. We also run bicycle maintenance courses, bike fitting… if it’s bike related we do it! Just taken new premises at 11 Patrick Street, Limerick City.

Legato’s Global R&D Hub is based in Clive House, Limerick.

Legato builds AI products to transform healthcare. With a strong focus on Health Assurance, Legato is ideally positioned to lead the Digital Transformation of Healthcare.

Legato’s team of experts is expanding to 120 in 2022 to meet the current internal demand for AI.

NUMATA BUSINESS HELIUM ARTS

+ 353 (0) 44 93 96 960 helene@helium.ie

ENET

(061) 274 000 info@enet.ie www.enet.ie Enet operates the largest alternative wholesale telecoms network in Ireland, which comprises of over 5,400 Km of fibre infrastructure, including the Irish State’s Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), proprietary metro networks, a unique dark fibre backhaul infrastructure, as well as one of the largest licensed wireless networks in the country.

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LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

Helium Arts is the the national children’s arts and health charity empowering children living with long-term health conditions through creativity and the arts.

Through our programmes children develop their confidence, talent and independence, while we foster creative healthy environments around them so they have better health outcomes.

Office: +353 1 223 2296 Mobile: +353 87 3417131 www.numata.co Since 2004, Numata Business IT has focused on a results-driven approach to helping small and medium-sized enterprises across the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa make the most of their technology investments. What’s so different about our approach, and what makes us the ideal IT partner for you?

With over 300+ years of combined experience, our team of experts are positioned to provide you with business-aligned technology solutions and services. We have perfected the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions and 10+ years in our communities to provide you with total peace of mind.

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

NEW MEMBERS

VIOTAS

PPS FINANCIAL PLANNING 061 484425 info@ppsfinancial.ie www.ppsfinancial.ie

While our clients are excellent at what they do, few if any in our experience have a good understanding of what benefits they have from their employment, the State and from private policies etc.

The approach we take is simple, we get to know our clients and understand their goals and aspirations.

Clients are then given a clear understanding of what the future holds financially.

PPS then provide ideas to give clients every chance of having a bright financial future.

Once a plan is in place we meet with clients regularly to provide them with ongoing advice

SEROSEP LTD

+353 61 358190 info@serosep.com Belief in providing better diagnostic solutions inspired the founders of Serosep to form the company in 1997, beginning initially with the distribution of carefully selected diagnostics products for Clinical Microbiology and Histopathology Laboratories.

The company maintained a culture of continuous critical market analysis for the best diagnostic solutions available which led Serosep to start manufacturing its own suite of diagnostic solutions, now exporting to over 35 countries worldwide and employing in excess of 100 people at its headquarters in Annacotty. The company has visions of entering the US market within the next 3 -5 years.

061 598 000 www.viotas.com

SHANNON REGION CONFERENCE & SPORTS BUREAU

0876616630 www. conferenceandsportsbureau.com Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau works in partnership with Failte Ireland to promote Limerick and the Midwest as a destination for conferences and events. The bureau offers a one stop shop offering free and impartial advice as well as up to date information on practical and financial supports to anyone hoping to attract an International event to Limerick and the wider Midwest

TESCO BUREAU

01-2152000 www.tescoireland.ie 2-3 lines on the company: Embedded in communities nationwide, Tesco Ireland operates 152 stores in cities and towns around Ireland, with 6 in Limerick.

As one of Ireland’s largest private sector employers, Tesco Ireland employs over 13,000 colleagues across its head office, distribution centre and stores nationwide.

Tesco’s core purpose is ‘Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day’.

Headquartered in Castletroy, Co. Limerick, VIOTAS designs, develops and delivers smart grid solutions that accelerate the use of renewable energy worldwide and create new revenue streams for large commercial and industrial energy users.

We are passionate about enabling a low carbon future through technology. Our dedicated research and development team, VIOTAS Innovation, develops leading-edge solutions which

Membership Benefit • •

•

• • • • • • • • •

• •

Business Excellence Series x 4 Avail of our exclusive Online Member Area’s Business Directory, Offers, Jobs and Events Take advantage of our many business advertising and marketing opportunities Budget Briefing Organisation-wide membership Business Awards Launch Event Business Awards Short List Breakfast Entry to Regional Business Awards New Members Breakfast x 2 Regional Business E-Newsletter Pro-Business Policy Development Your views represented through lobbying at Local, National and European Level Stakeholder Collaboration to optimise the regional economy 3 Votes in the Chamber Board Elections held at our AGM

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Limerick Chamber would like to acknowledge the ongoing support provided by our Strategic Partners

34

LIMERICK LIMERICK

CHAMBER CHAMBER CONNECT CONNECT

1

CONNECTING

LIMERICKOUR IN COMMUNITY MOTION

Tap into the power of networking. Attend Chamber events, many of which are free, keep an eye on the events calendar and your e- mail for upcoming events and invites.

5

Get involved and have your voice heard. Help set the policy agenda and avail of the dedicated support of Limerick Chamber, to help address the issues that are effecting your business at local , regional and national levels.

5

4

2

TIPS TO MAXIMISE YOUR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP.

Increase the visibility of your business. Use the promotional avenues of the Chamber to announce news, special offers or upcoming events.

3

Upskill yourself and your workforce by taking advantage of the diverse range, of free and subsidised training programmes, offered by Limerick Chamber Skillnet.

Activate / Update your profile on our Member Information Centre (MIC) available via our website.

TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP:

ensure you are following Limerick Chamber across our social channels Ensure you and your colleagues are in receipt of our bi-weekly newsletter: featuring the latest news, training, and events.

Ensure you are receiving your event invitations via email (please ensure to check your junk folder)

Engage with your chamber regarding collaborative projects and events.

Make sure you enter our annual Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards

Have your say- be sure to participate in our surveys relating to various policy initiatives.

Be active with your chamber in requesting supports and events centred around a topic of your choice.

Take part and reach out in regard to your training and staffing needs with Limerick Chamber Skillnets.

BECOME A MEMBER OF LIMERICK CHAMBER JOIN TODAY VISIT: www.limerickchamber.ie

www.Limerickchamber.ie

info@limerickchamber.ie

061 217600

35

MEMBER DIRECTORY ADVERTISING AND MEDIA: ABLE MARKETING 061 417575 www.ablemarketing.ie AGENT DIGITAL 061 339785 www.agent.media/digital/ ALPHASET 061 314227 www.alphaset.ie BRIDGE PR PUBLIC RELATIONS 061 375808 www.bridgepr.ie CANTEC GROUP 061-313646 www.CantecGroup.ie CUBE PRINTING LTD 061 400658 www.cube.irish DETAIL FACTORY (087) 685-8758 www.detailfactory.ie LIMERICK LEADER 061 214501 www.limerickleader.ie LIMERICK POST 061 413322 www.limerickpost.ie SOUTHERN MARKETING DESIGN MEDIA 061 310286 www.southern.ie TROY MARKETING 061 338284 www.troymarketing.ie GBM LIMERICK LTD 061 317977 www.gbmlimerick.ie

AGRICULTURAL, FISHING AND FORESTRY: GRASSLAND AGRO 061 301788 www.grassland.ie

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LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

SAMCO AGRICULTURAL MANUFACTURING 061 396176 www.samco.ie

ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT:

DENNEHY MOTORS LTD. 061 442444 wwwdenehymotors.ie LYONS OF LIMERICK 061 413344 www.lyonsoflimerick.com

LIME TREE THEATRE 061 953400 www.limetreetheatre.ie

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

LIVE95 061 461900 www.live95.ie

AMESTO GLOBAL 061 574250 www.amesto.global

LOUGH GUR DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD 061 385186 www.loughgur.com

ANTARIS CONSULTING 061 464666 www.antarisconsulting.com

THE HUNT MUSEUM 061 312833 www.huntmuseum.com UNIVERSITY CONCERT HALL 061 213311 www.uch.ie WILLIAM BIRD SALES LTD 061 419988 www.funderland.com IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 061 202620 www.irishchamberorchestra.com DANCE LIMERICK 061 400994 www.dancelimerick.ie MADE FOR STAGE LIMITED T/A MFS Group 087 1692410 www.mfs-group.ie MURT WHELAN SOUND LTD 0868541204 www.mws.ie

AUTOMOTIVE & MARINE AUDI LIMERICK 061 336000 www.audilimerick.ie BRIAN GEARY TOYOTA 061 225225 www.briangeary.ie

ARUP CONSULTING ENGINEERS 061 212100 www.arup.com/offices/ireland BS & B SAFETY SYSTEMS 061 227022 www.bsb.ie CAREERWISE RECRUITMENT 061 364990 www.careerwise.ie CARELINE MOVING AND STORAGE 061 326070 www.careline.ie CLEANING PLUS 061-748711 www.cleaningplus.ie CLOHESSY MINIHANE SOLICITORS LLP 061 461000 www.cmlegal.ie CPL 061 221701 www.cpl.ie CREGG RECRUITMENT 061 363318 www.creggrecruitment.ie CUDDYQS 061 574177 www.cuddyqs.ie DUNDON CALLANAN SOLICITORS 061 411022 ww.dundoncallanan.ie

MEMBER DIRECTORY EDWARD COTTER PARTNERSHIP (Limerick) Ltd 061 313340 www.ecp.ie EML ARCHITECTS LTD 061 312249 www.eml.ie EXERTIS SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES 061 226600 www.exertissupplychain.com FERGUSONS HEARING AID CLINIC 061 313633 WWW.FERGHAC.IE FRS RECRUITMENT (189) 079-0890 www.frsrecruitment.com GGL SECURITY 061 319077 www.gglsecurity.com GO FRESH CLEANING LTD T/A GF Cleaners (087) 229-7341 www.gfcleaners.ie/ GOLD BEE CBD (877) 977-6789 www.goldbee.com GRIFFIN’S FUNERAL HOME 061 415000 www.griffinfunerals.com HARMONICS 061 336136 www.harmonics.ie HAYES SOLICITORS LIMERICK Solicitors Limerick 061 469504 hayes-solicitors-limerick-lawyer. business.site HAYSSPECIALIST RECRUITMENT 061 435750 www.hays.ie HEALTH AND WELLNESS INTERNATIONAL 1800 844300 healthandwellnessinternational.com HEALY & PARTNERS ARCHITECTS LTD. 061 410966 www.healypartners.com HOLMES O’MALLEY SEXTON 061 313222 www.homs.ie

HUMANLI 086 2602326 www.humanli.ie ILLUMINATI ENTERPRISES (083) 118-5050 www.isc-cx.com INGENIUM 061 385841 www.ingeniumtc.com INTEGRUM LTD 087 9120109 www.integrum.ie IRISH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE 01 2078426 www.imi.ie JOBS.IE (021) 236-2990 www.jobs.ie KEATING CONNOLLY SELLORS 061 414355 www.sellors.ie KMACS CONSULTANCY LTD Leahy & Partners 061 315700 www.leahyandpartners.com LIMERICK MARKET TRUSTEES 061 214782 www.milkmarketlimerick.ie LINESIGHT 061 493515 www.linesight.com MALACHY WALSH & PARTNERS 061 480164 www.mwp.ie MELIOR MANAGEMENT 061 311700 www.melior.ie MELVYN HANLEY SOLICITORS 061 400533 www.melvinhanly.com MID WEST FOOD SAFETY CO LTD 061 340943 www.midwestfoodsafety.ie MORGAN MCKINLEY 061 430940 www.morganmckinley.ie

MORNING STAR PHOTOGRAPHY 061 450709 www.morningstar.ie O’GORMAN SOLICITORS 061 418214 www.ogorman.ie O’LOUGHLIN PROJECT ENGINEERS LTD 061 310673 www.olpe.ie PRAXIS ARCHITECTURE 061 314848 www.praxis-architecture.com PUNCH CONSULTING ENGINEERS 061 221200 www.punchconsulting.com Q3 SECURITY SYSTEMS 061 353533 - 01 5394433 www.q3.ie QP TECH 061 209510 www.qptech.ie QUINN ARCHITECTS 061 312100 www.quinnarchitects.ie RAYN SAFETY. SECURITY. 061 306000 www.rayn.ie RESONATION (086) 251-0154 www.resonation.ie ROADBRIDGE 061 414874 www.roadbridge.ie SALES DYNAMICS 01 8220523 www.insthinktive.com SHAMROCK CONSULTING 061 633633 www.shamrockconsulting.com SOLASVR (086) 623-5551 www.solasvr.com SWEENEY MCGANN SOLICITORS 061 317533 www.sweenymgcann.com TURAS NUA LIMERICK 061 314594 www.turasnua.ie

www.limerickchamber.ie

37

MEMBER DIRECTORY COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ORGANISATION:

PAUL PARTNERSHIP/LIMERICK LES 061 412999 www.paulpartnership.ie

BARNARDOS Voluntary/Charity (061) 430 313 www.barnardos.ie

BEDFORD ROW FAMILY PROJECT 061 315332 www.bedfordrow.ie/

RAPE CRISIS MIDWEST (180) 031-1511 www.rapecrisis.ie/home.html

BÓTHAR 087 4574164 www.bothar.ie CLIONA’S FOUNDATION 061 331333 www.clionas.ie Cycle Against Suicide (089) 644-8519 www.cycleagainstsuicide.com FOCUS IRELAND LTD 061 405300 www.focusireland.ie HELIUM ARTS + 353 (0) 44 93 96 960 www.helium.ie LIMERICK ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP (LEDP) (086) 839-3397 www.ledp.ie

PETER MCVERRY TRUST 01 8230776 www.pmvtrust.ie

SAINT MARY’S CATHEDRAL 061 310293 www.saintmaryscathedral.ie SHANNON REGION CONFERENCE AND SPORTS BUREAU (087) 661-6630 SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 061 317327 www.svp.ie TAIT HOUSE COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE CLG 061 415340 www.taithouse.ie THE HOPE FOUNDATION (021) 429-2990 THE SAOIRSE FOUNDATION (083) 004-4444 www.thesaoirsefoundation.com

AVVIO 061 335680 www.avvio.com BLOCWORX (061) 518 426 www.blocworx.com CARAGON 061 339661 www.caragon.ie CASA COMMUNICATIONS LTD 061 633000 www.casa-systems.com CASHBOOK SOFTWARE 061 338400 www.cashbook.com CLOUDCARDS LTD. 061 748767 www.cloudcards.ie DATA STORAGE & MANAGEMENT LTD 061 332206 www.dsm.ie DTS LICENSING LIMITED - AN XPERI COMPANY 061 507272 www.xperi.com DYNAMIC PRESENTATION SYSTEMS 061 303468 www.dpsav.ie

COMPUTERS AND

TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

ELIVE LTD 061 305038 www.elive.net

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE 061 412444 www.limerickyouthservice.com

4SITE 061 3066688 www.4sitenetworks.com

ENET 061 274000 www.enet.ie

MID WEST SIMON COMMUNITY 061 608980 www.midwestsimon.ie

ACTIONPOINT 061 337632 www.actionpoint.ie

EXTREME NETWORKS 061 705500 www.extremenetworks.com

NETWORK IRELAND LIMERICK (085) 160-1783 www.networkireland.ie

AMCS GROUP 061 390600 www.amcsgroup.com

NOVAS 061 370325 www.novas.ie

ARISTA NETWORKS LTD 061 369542 www.arista.com

FIRST COMPLIANCE the data protection experts (087) 778-7606 www.first-compliance.com

ASPIRA (021) 235-2550 www.aspira.ie

38

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

HYBRID TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS 061 211444 www.hybridtp.ie

MEMBER DIRECTORY IT SYSTEMS 061 375140 www.itsystems.ie KEMP TECHNOLOGIES LTD +1 631-345-5292 www.kemptechnologies.com MENTOR GRAPHICS (IRELAND) LTD. 061-256200 www.mentor.com NTES LTD 061 386600 www.ntesitsupport.ie NUMATA BUSINESS IT 061 548017 www.numata.ie RSA SECURITY & RISK IRLAND LTD 061 725132 www.rsa.com THREE IRELAND (HUTCHINSON) LIMITED (083) 333-3333 www.three.ie VIRGIN MEDIA 061 272 174 www.virginmedia.ie VIOTAS (061) 970015 www.viotas.com

WP ENGINE 061 579128 www.wpengine.com

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND CONTRACTORS: BCM GROUP 061 518417 www.bcmgroup.ie COLLEN CONSTRUCTION LTD 01 8745411 www.collenconstruction.ie CONACK CONSTRUCTION 061 310002 www.conack.ie

GRACON EQUIPMENT INSPECTION & SAFETY 087 795 6234 www.gracon.ie

DECARE DENTAL INSURANCE IRELAND (094) 937-8608 www.decare.ie/corporate

KIRBY GROUP ENGINEERING 061 226060 www.kirbygroup.com

DELOITTE 061 435500 www.deloitte.ie

LRK FLOORING LTD 061 215961 www.lrkflooring.ie

EBS William Street Emer O’Reilly Financial Services Ltd. 061 418674 MCHALE PLANT SALES LIMITED www.ebs.ie 061 379112 mchaleplantsales.com EDEN CAPITAL 061 546060 MICHAEL LONG CONSTRUCTION www.edencapital.ie LTD T/A MLC BUILDERS 061 512117 EY www.mlcbuilders.ie 061 319988 www.ey.ie PADDY HOARE BUILDING & CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS FBD INSURANCE 061 334130 061-491400 www.fbd.ie PLATT REILLY Insurance Services www.plattreilly.co.uk FIRST CHOICE FINANCIAL SHANNON COILED SPRINGS SERVICES DAC T/A MORTGAGE 061 311666 ABC 061 317260 THE GALTEE GROUP www.fcfs.ie 062 46898 Financial Services www.thegalteegroup.ie FIRST CITIZEN FINANCE DAC 0872580851 / 018846700 www.firstcitizen.ie FINANCE AND

INSURANCE:

AIB BANK 061 414388 www.aib.ie BANK OF IRELAND 076 624-1632 www.bankofireland.com BDO 061 414455 www.bdo.ie C&M FINANCIAL SERVICES 061 311266 www.premiumclaims.ie CANTOR FITZGERALD IRELAND 061 436500 www.cantorfitzgerald.ie

FITZPATRICK DONNELLAN LIMITED 061-310277 www.fitzpatrickdonnellan.ie FOCUS CAPITAL PARTNERS 061 214400 www.focuscapitalpartners.ie Financial Services FROST INSURANCES LTD 061 310566 www.frostinsurances.ie FUNDROCK MANAGEMENT COMPANY S.A. (IRELAND BRANCH) 061 502363 www.fundrock.com

39

MEMBER DIRECTORY GLASS LEWIS EUROPE LTD 061 292801 www.glasslewis.com

OFFICEHELPER LTD 061 336400 www.officehelper.ie

GOODBODY STOCKBROKERS 021 427-9266 www.goodbody.ie

POWER INSURANCES 061 226722 www.powerinsurances.ie

GRANT THORNTON 061 312744 www.grantthornton.ie HOURIGAN ROWSOME LTD. 061 401111 www.houriganrowsome.ie IQEQ 061-714007 www.iqeq.com KEOGH RYAN TIERNEY 061 318500 www.keoghryantierney.ie LAYA HEALTHCARE 021 202-2807 www.layahealthcare.ie MARSH IRELAND LTD 021 490-7400 www.marsh.com/ie/home

PPS FINANCIAL PLANNING 061 484425 www.ppsfinancial.ie PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS 061 212300 www.pwc.ie SARSFIELD CREDIT UNION LTD 061 317910 www.sarsfieldcu.ie SULLIVAN INSURANCES 061 313255 www.sullivaninsurances.ie Insurance Services TAX ASSIST ACCOUNTANTS LIMERICK 061 513320 www.taxassist.ie/limerickcity Accountants/Accountancy Services

MAZARS 061 319955 www.mazars.ie

TAX ASSIST ACCOUNTANTS ADARE & NEWCASTLE WEST 061 310429 www.taxassist.ie/adare Accountants/Accountancy Services

MCKEOGH GALLAGHER RYAN 061 208050 www.mgraccountants.ie Accountants/Accountancy Services

ULSTER BANK 061 410200 www.ulsterbank.ie Financial Services

METIS IRELAND FINANCIAL PLANNING LIMITED 061 518365 metisireland.ie/ Financial Services

VHI HEALTHCARE www.vhi.ie 01 448 2450 Insurance Services

MOORE MC NAMARA 061 229666 www.mspatrickmcnamara.ie Accountants/Accountancy Services NORTHERN TRUST (IRELAND) LTD 01 5422696 www.northerntrust.com Financial Services

40

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

WALLSTONE FINANCIAL SERVICES 061 440044 www.wallstone.ie WILLIS TOWERS WATSON 061 218900 www.willistowerswatson.com Insurance Services

GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, AND INDIVIDUALS:

BTIS 061 233625 www.btis.ie

BERNAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES (087) 414-6431 bernalinstitute.com

FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE 061 442100 www.lcetb.ie GLENSTAL ABBEY 061 621019 www.glenstal.com GRIFFITH COLLEGE LIMERICK 061 310031 www.griffith.ie/locations/limerick IDA IRELAND 01 603 4000 www.ida.ie LIMERICK CITY & COUNTY COUNCIL 061 557202 www.limerickcity.ie LIMERICK TRAINING CENTRE 061-487900 LIMERICK TWENTY THIRTY DAC 061 517432 www.limerick2030.ie LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE 061 557499 www.localenterprise.ie/limerick MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE 061 204994 www.mic.ul.ie MARY JACKMAN 061 335511 MASTERPIECE PROPERTY LTD 061518388 www.masterpieceproperty.ie NATIONAL LEARNING NETWORK 061 229777 www.nln.ie

MEMBER DIRECTORY OPTIMA TRAINING AND CONSULTING LTD 061 514744 www.optimatraining.ie ST. GABRIELS SCHOOL & CENTRE 061 302733 www.stgabriels.ie

IRISH BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE 061 306980 www.giveblood.ie/ Healthcare Services LEGATO HEALTH (087) 283-6499 www.legato.com

THE COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC 01 6449700 communicationsclinic.ie

LIMERICK CLINIC 091 785590 www.limerickclinic.com

THE OTTO CLINIC 061 317678 www.theottoclinic.ie

MEDCODE HEALTH CARE SERVICES 061 596355 www.medcode.ie

THE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE SHANNON Midlands Midwest 061 293233 www.TUS.ie

MEDMARK OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHCARE 061 444888 www.medmark,ie

VILLIERS SCHOOL 061451447 www.villiers-school.com

HEALTHCARE: 3DENTAL LIMERICK 061) 414 673 www.3dental.ie/limerick BONS SECOURS 061 490530 www.bonsecours.ie EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES 087 2304032 www.edwards.ie EMPLOYMENT HEALTH ADVISORS 061 303975 www.ehalimerick.ie GREEN CROSS PHARMACY 087 981 3142 www.greencrosspharmacy.ie HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE 061 462070 www.homeinstead.ie Healthcare Services

MID WEST PHYSIOTHERAPY 061 201444 www.midwestphysio.ie MILFORD CARE CENTRE 061 485860 www.milfordcarecentre.ie UL HOSPITALS GROUP 061 482598 www.ulh.ie Healthcare Services

DROMOLAND CASTLE 061 368144 www.dromoland.ie FITZGERALDS WOODLANDS HOUSE HOTEL & SPA 061 605100 www.woodlands-hotel.ie GREAT NATIONAL SOUTH COURT HOTEL & OFF THE BONE GASTROPUB 061 487 487 www.southcourthotel.com LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL 061 421800 www.strandhotellimerick.ie LIMERICK TRAVEL 061 204444 www.limericktravel.ie www.letsgotravel.ie PLASSEY CAMPUS CENTRE UL 061 202360 www.campuslife.ul.ie THE GEORGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL 061 460400 www.georgelimerick.com THE MALDRON HOTEL LIMERICK 061 436100 www.maldronhotellimerick.com

LODGING AND TRAVEL:

THE SAVOY HOTEL 061 448700 www.savoylimerick.com

ABSOLUTE HOTEL LIMERICK 061 463600 www.absolutehotel.com Hotels/Conferencing/Catering Services

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK CONFERENCE AND SPORTS CAMPUS 061-234178 www.conference.ul.ie/

ADARE MANOR 061 605200 www.adaremanor.com Hotels/Conferencing/Catering Services CASTLETROY PARK HOTEL 061 335566 www.castletroypark.ie CLAYTON HOTEL LIMERICK 061 444100 www.claytonhotellimerick.com

THE BEDFORD TOWNHOUSE & CAFE 061204400 www.thebedford.ie TRIGON HOTELS 021 494-7555 www.trigonhotels.com/ TREATY CITY BREWERY 086 4531400 www.treatycitybrewery.ie

www.limerickchamber.ie

41

MEMBER DIRECTORY MANUFACTURING, PRODUCTION AND WHOLESALE: ADHESIVES RESEARCH IRELAND LTD 061-300300 www.adhesivesresearch.com ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UC 061-229011 www.analog.com CHEMIFLOC LTD 061 708699 www.chemifloc.com COOK IRELAND LTD. 061 334440 www.cookmedical.com COPYTYPE (IRE) LTD 061 358933 www.copytype.ie DELL TECHNOLOGIES 061 304091 www.delltechnologies.com DESIGNPRO AUTOMATION 069 63842 www.designproautomation.com

HL COMMODITY FOODS LTD. 061 383801 www.hlcf.ie

NOVOSTRAT LTD 061 339287 ww.novostrat.com

IRISH CEMENT LTD. 061 487200 www.irishcement.ie

ON SEMICONDUCTOR 061 583000 www.onsemi.com

IRISH WIRE PRODUCTS LTD. 061 221100 www.irishwire.com

OPTEL GROUP 061 480965 www.optelgroup.com

JJ O’TOOLE LTD 061 229333 www.jjotoole.ie

PALLAS FOODS 069 22151 www.pallasfoods.com

JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE 061 203203 www.jnj.com

PBC BIOMED 061 704740 www.pbcbiomed.ie

KEY INGREDIENTS 061 358977 www.keyingredients.ie

PROVINCIAL FLOORCOVERINGS LTD. 061 227100 www.pfl.ie

MACRO STAINLESS LTD. 061 414555 www.macrostainless.com

QUALPACK LTD (087) 170-2517 www.qualpack.net

MAIDENFORM BRANDS INTERNATIONAL LTD 061 474435 www.maidenform.com

REGENERON IRELAND LTD 061 782 000 www.regeneron.com

MCMAHONS BUILDERS PROVIDERS 061 484030 www.mcmahons.ie

ELECTRICAL REWIND SERVICES 061 417070 www.electricalrewinds.ie

MUSGRAVE MARKET PLACE 061 444700 www.musgravemarketplace.ie

FLEMING MEDICAL LTD. 061-304600 www.flemmingmedical.ie

NEW VISTAS HEALTHCARE LTD 061 334455 www.newvistashealthcare.com

GE SENSING EMEA 061 470200 www.ge.com

No. of Employee

SME Business

Votes at Chamber Elections

1 - 50

€440

3

51 - 200

€950

7

200+

€1500

10

Corporate

42

Current Rate

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

VPK PACKAGING LIMITED 061 402500 www.rigid.ie RUSAL AUGHINISH 061 604301 SL CONTROLS LIMITED (071) 9134040 www.slcontrols.com SPECTRUM INSTRUMENTS 061 333322 www.ntmdt-fi.com

Membership Fees 2021 Category

RICHARDSONS FOODS 061 294552 www.richardsons.ie

STRYKER HOWMEDICA INTERNATIONAL 061 498 200 www.stryker.com

MEMBER DIRECTORY TECHNOPATH DISTRIBUTION LTD 061 335844 www.techno-path.com

DGD SHREDDING SERVICES 061-491333 www.dgdshredding.ie

PARKWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 061 416144 www.parkwaysc.com

TECKRO LIMITED 061 529001 www.teckro.com Manufacturing & Production

ECOS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS LIMITED 061 633644 www.ecos.ie

ROONEY AUCTIONEERS (LIMERICK) LTD. 061 413511 www.rooneys.eu

TELEFLEX 061 331906 www.teleflex.com

GAS NETWORKS IRELAND 021 453-4000 www.gasnetworks.ie

REGUS 086 796-9520 www.regus.ie

TRANSPEC TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS LTD 061 437932 www.transpec.com

LIMERICK METAL RECYCLING COMPANY 061 418153 www.oranmetalgroup.com

WUERTH IRELAND LTD 061 430200 www.wurth.ie

MR BINMAN 061 351127 www.mrbinman.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IRELAND (PMI) 061 451522 www.propertymanagementireland.ie Estate Agent/Property Services

GLOBAL SAUCES 061 306700 www.globalsauces.ie

RENTOKIL 061 412588 www.rentokil.ie

BD RESEARCH CENTRE IRELAND 061-538619 www.emea.jobs.bd.com/limerickireland

RESOURCEKRAFT 01-9052999 www.resourcekraft.com

CRAFT FOOD TRADERS 061 383930 www.craftfoodtraders.ie

LIMERICK POLYMER PRODUCTION 061 523333 www.lpp.ie

MICRO ELECTRICITY GENERATION ASSOCIATION (MEGA) www.megamicro.org

REAL ESTATE, MOVING, STORAGE:

SEROSEP LIMITED 061 358190 www.serosep.com

ARTHURS QUAY MANAGEMENT SERVICES 061 412462 www.arthursQuey.ie

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ENVIRONMENT: AQS ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS 086 3886448 www.aqssolutions.ie CLEAN IRELAND RECYCLING 1890 036-1800 www.cleanireland.ie

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD 061 418111 www.cushmanandwakfeild.ie GVM AUCTIONEERING 061 413522 www.gvm.ie EXECUTIVE RELOCATIONS 061 310099 www.executiverelocations.ie

MAJULAH ICAV 065 6435 0277 www.finegrainproperty.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD AND BEVERAGE: BOBBY BYRNES 061-316949 www.bobbybyrnes.ie BROOK FOOD SERVICES 021 485-6403 www.brookfoodservices.ie CARAMBOLA LTD 061 500200 www.carambola.ie CATER CARE LTD 061 469008 www.catercare.ie COBBLESTONE JOE’S 061 414 840 www.cobblestonejoes.ie CORNSTORE GROUP 061 317799 www.cornstore.com FLANNERY`S BAR 061 436677 www.flannerysbar.ie MASTERCHEFS HOSPITALITY 061 411522 www.masterchefs.ie

43

MEMBER DIRECTORY P FLANNERY BAR (FLANNERY LTD) 061 415027 www.flannerys.ie THE HUNT CAFÉ / DOLMEN CATERING 061 312662 www.huntmuseum.com Bar/Restaurant TUSCANY BISTRO 085 235-0210 www.tuscany.ie Bar/Restaurant MOTHER MACS 061 414900 mothermacs.ie/ Bar/Restaurant MARKET ALLY BARS LTD T/A THE OLD QUARTER 086 881-8166 www.theoldquarter.ie Bar/Restaurant SODALICIOUS 061-595156 www.sodalicious.ie Bar/Restaurant

LOCK DOCTOR LTD 061 305664 www.lockdoctor.ie

GREYHOUND RACING IRELAND 061 448000 www.limerickgreyhoundstadium.ie

M2 OFFICE SUPPLIES 061 303666 www.m2.ie

LIMERICK RACECOURSE 061 320000 www.limerickraces.ie

MATTHEW STEPHENS JEWELLERS LTD 061 415583 www.matthewstephens.ie

THOMOND PARK STADIUM COMPANY LTD 061 421100 www.thomondpark.ie

MS ELENORA HOGAN 061 415195

UL SPORT 061 376622 www.ulac.ie

O’BRIENS WINE OFF LICENCE 061 422559 www.obrienswine.ie O’MAHONYS BOOKSELLERS LTD. 061 418155 www.omahonys.ie RYANS CENTRA 061 313396 www.centra.ie TADHG KEARNEY JEWELLERS 061 413034

DOH. PROPER PIZZA 061 609719 www.dohpizzas.ie

TONY CONNOLLY MENSWEAR 061 410324 www.connollyman.com

SHOPPING AND SPECIALITY RETAIL:

WIDDESS FITZGIBBON PHARMACY 061 414061 www.widdessfitzgibbonpharmacy.ie

ASHBROOK PHARMACY LTD T/A SCANLONS PHARMACY 061 454000 www.scanlonspharmacy.com

LIDL IRELAND GMBH 087 916-5882 www.lidl.ie

CONDELL THE OFFICE CENTRE 061 414806 www.theofficecentre.com GLEESON SPAR SUPERMARKET 061 310913 www.spar.ie KEANES JEWELLERS 021 427-1256 www.keanes.ie Retail/Shopping

44

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

RE:STORY LIMERICK 083 0599 400 www.Restory.ie TESCO IRELAND 087 1332526 www.tescoireland.ie

SPORTS AND RECREATION:

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY EXPERIENCE www.internationalrugbyexperience. com EVOLUTION CYCLES 083 4529370 www.evolutioncycles.ie

TRANSPORTATION: AERCAP IRELAND LTD 061 723600 www.aercap.com ARGOSEA SERVICES LTD 061 413833 www.argosea.ie Transport/Logistics/Distribution Services DOYLE SHIPPING GROUP 061 303750 www.dsg.ie EASTWAY GLOBAL FORWARDING LTD 061 500700 www.eastway.ie IARNROD EIREANN 061 217308 www.irishrail.ie IRISH EXPRESS CARGO LTD T/A FLEXTRONICS 061 480777 www.flextronics.com

MEMBER DIRECTORY JENKINSON LOGISTICS 061 261600 www.jenkinson.ie LEATRANS LTD 061 304330 www.leatrans.com MARTIN RYAN HAULAGE 061 381 231 www.martinryanhaulage.ie PARK MAGIC 061 311422 bookings.parkmagic.net SHANNON FOYNES PORT COMPANY 069 73100 www.SFPC.ie SHANNON GROUP 061 712000 www.shannongroup.ie STL LOGISTICS 061 200250 www.stllogistics.ie CORPORATE COACHES 087 2584811 www.corporate-coaches.ie BUS EIREANN 087 943-9896 www.buseireann.ie FUSION LOGISTICS LTD 087 2583964 www.fusionlogistics.ie

Your Member Information Centre All members have access to the Member Information Centre You can access your member information centre via the limerick chamber website Your Member Information Centre (MIC) allows you to brand your company page.

The page is customizable with branding, videos, logos, and company bio.

The MIC: allows you to upload member to member offers, Member News, Member Events, Job Postings, and search your member directory.

All member’s news, offers, events, and job postings are visible within the membership via the dashboard.

You can add employees to ensure they receive Chamber communications.

You can link the account to your socials.

You also have access to the Limerick Chamber member pin for use on your website etc.

www.limerickchamber.ie

45

2022 Applications to the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards is now easier than ever.

Online applications forms have been streamlined; they can be completed digitally in your own time using a recorded video. This allows applicants to personalise their applications to our Judging Panel.

All shortlisted companies are profiled across our channels, the awards present an opportunity to showcase the work of your staff and company to the mid-west.

Applications will be available to complete following our awards launch in June 2022.

All information regarding the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards can be found at: limerickchamber.ie/flagship-events For more information please contact: Cmoloney@limerickchamber.ie

46

LIMERICK

CHAMBER CONNECT

Limerick Sings International Choral Festival is celebrating its 10th festival this year, having grown significantly since its inception in 2013. Produced by University Concert Hall, together with festival partners, to date it has welcomed over 64 choirs from USA, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, the UK and Ireland to Limerick. In June 2019 (our last “in person” festival) 604 choristers participated in performances across the city and the region.

In 2021 Limerick Sings went Virtual. This saw over 800 singers and choral music lovers actively participating online, in workshops, choral trails and a unique opening chorus, as well as tuning into concerts and an in conversation event. Throughout the three day event they joined the festival from countries including the UK, Spain, Italy, the US, Japan, India and from all across Ireland.

The 2022 Festival takes place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th.

Participanting choirs from throughout Ireland and Europe, together with local audiences, can expect a wonderful weekend of song including a workshop and opening concert by internationally acclaimed vocal group Tenebrae at University Concert Hall; rehearsal/ workshop with leading Irish conductor David Brophy for an Outdoor Chorus at the stunning Cliffs of Moher; social events including BBQ and Festival Club, and concerts in the beautiful Redemptorist Church in Limerick city centre and Holy Trinity Abbey Church in Adare. For further information go to www.limericksings.com

Limerick Museum: Portal to the Past Why not visit Limerick Museum, one of the oldest museums in the country, which tells the story of Limerick City and County through its vast collection of 63,000 objects from Stone Age axes to medieval coins, from the civic sword of Queen Elizabeth I to 1916 Rising medals.

Among the wealth of wonderful items on display are the 450-year old mummified Ireton’s Cat; a 3 billion-year old fragment from the largest meteorite shower that ever fell in Ireland; gorgeous Limerick lace and Limerick silver from the Golden Age of Limerick craft industry; and two World War II gas-masks that fortunately never had to be used.

• Location: Old Franciscan Friary, Henry Street, Limerick City, V94 C7W1.

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10.00-5.00.

• Admission: Free

The Hunt Museum The Custom House Rutland Street, Limerick. V94 EV8A www.huntmuseum.com

University Concert Hall University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, Ireland.

BOX OFFICE 061 331549 / support@uch.ie www.uch.ie

King John Castle https://kingjohnscastle.ie/ +353 (0) 61 – 711222 reservations@kingjohnscastle.ie

Irish Chamber Orchestra, University of Limerick. ico@ul.ie +353 (0) 61 202 620 Concert: Mozart & Widmann April 27 2022 - April 29 2022

Belletable/Limetree tel:061953400 limetreetheatre.ie/events Belltable, 69 O’Connell Street, Limerick. boxoffice@limetreetheatre.ie.

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HOSPITALITY FEATURE

Why do we all love summer?

Temperatures get higher, just like our optimism and we are full of serotonin, the “happy hormone” which brings up that old feeling of freedom.

This is the season in which the energy of the Earth and the sky meet to produce plants, flowers and abundant fruit. It is the time of utmost growth in our vegetable and animal kingdom.

The joy of staying outside until late, enjoying our cool green lawns, sitting in a garden chair with a delicious drink in our hand or having dinner “al fresco”, preferably a barbecue, and chatting to our loved ones certainly makes up for the cold temperature and rainy days that we have had to endure.

Gone are the heavy, though delicious winter dishes, they have been replaced by salads and quickly assembled and easy to make light dishes. These gorgeous recipes are easy to make, full of nutrition and absolutely yummy.

INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil • 50g unsalted butter • 2 small fennel bulbs, finely chopped • 6 garlic cloves, crushed • 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste • 800g prawns, peeled, deveined and chopped (heads and shells reserved) • 2 x 250g punnets cherry tomatoes, halved • 4 lemon thyme sprigs, plus extra fresh leaves to serve • 1 tsp fennel seeds • 400g strozzapretti or other short pasta • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon & juice of ½ 1. Heat 2 tbs oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add half the fennel and half the garlic, and cook, stirring, for 6 minutes or until softened. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, to lightly caramelise. Add the prawn heads and shells and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes until coloured. Stir 1 punnet tomato into the prawn mixture. Add 375ml water and 2 thyme sprigs and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 25 minutes, pressing down the prawn heads and tomato to extract as much flavour as possible. Strain through a fine sieve to extract all of the liquid. Set aside. Discard solids.

2. Heat remaining 2 tbs oil in saucepan over medium heat and add remaining fennel and garlic, and fennel seeds. Cook, stirring, for 6 minutes or until softened. Add remaining tomato and cook for 5 minutes, stirring gently.

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to packet instructions.

4. Add prawn stock and remaining lemon thyme sprigs to saucepan with fennel and garlic mixture. Bring back to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until tomato skins start to burst. Add the prawn and cook for 2 minutes or until just cooked through and stir through the lemon zest and juice. Season to taste. Fold pasta through sauce then divide among serving bowls. Scatter over lemon thyme leaves to serve.

Success guaranteed!!!!!!

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CHAMBER CONNECT

Contact Details: Tuscany Bistro Castletroy 061-376888 Tuscany To Go, Dooradoyle- 061-468000 Tuscany Bistro Ballina/Killaloe- 061-376888 www.tuscany.ie

Limerick Chamber Skillnet

provides customised and discounted training for all businesses- avail of a

20% discount

by contacting our Limerick Chamber Skillnet team today.

Limerick Chamber Skillnet provides employers with the opportunity to help develop and train employees via an affordable, reliable and seamless avenue with the Limerick Chamber Skillnet team.

Find out more about Limerick Chamber Skillnet www.limerickchamber.ie/train/

www.limerickchamber.ie

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CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

GROW Your Business:

The Covid 19 Pandemic generated a historical shift that has reshaped the traditional view of working, management, and culture.

The Pandemic has seen employers and business owners evaluating how they can navigate the reinvention of the workplace for a post-pandemic future. The pandemic accelerated a movement to a more digital world, as well as exploration of new skillets and values.

The significant move to hybrid working has created unprecedented demand for our flexible work products,” “This fundamental shift in the way people work is clearly a positive tailwind for IWG over the medium to longer term and we are seeing increasing levels of interest from enterprises wishing to transform their working practices.”

Work in the future will be happening in the heart of local communities everywhere – cities and suburbs, towns and villages – and IWG’s focus is on providing local workplaces that people can access close to home, no matter where they live. This is just the beginning of something truly era-defining that will have a tremendously positive impact on future generations, freeing so many up to lead less stressed and more enriched lives. Offices are here to stay, but it is a new breed, the hybrid office, that will prevail said Kenneth Dwyer, Sales Manager for IWG

During this unprecedented time, we have seen companies and employees embrace new skills and develop new behaviours which have improved the way we operate. Many businesses have managed to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity for change, we have reached out to our expert members to share their thoughts and data on the changes which have occurred as a result of the pandemic and how these changes have reshaped the future of work.

Below are findings from a number of polls hosted by Limerick Chamber and our network partners which help shape an insight in the developments occurring within the workspace and work culture at the moment as we navigate a balance with return to work/office.

• When asked would you consider looking for a new job I you couldn’t continue remote/hybrid work in your current role- the results proved unanimous with 79% choosing to look elsewhere if this was not continued, with 19% saying no it wouldn’t impact their decision (survey has over 60,077 votes) • In another poll conducted: after 2 years working remotely/from home how do you feel about it now? The results showed 71% love it, 11% felt neutral about it and 17% over it. (168 votes placed) • Another poll conducted by a partner company presented the following question: Many employers are allowing workers to work from anywhere, but some firms are ordering employees back to the office, the question posed asked participants if they felt the return would hinder the company’s retention efforts: the results showed 81% of participants felt it would inevitably hinder a company to retain good staff, while the remaining 16% felt it would not hinder their retention of staff (11,264 votes placed) • As the great resignation wreaks havoc on the working world, our partners hosted a poll asking the business community What were the most important factors an employee would consider when seeking an alternative job? The results showed Better work life integration as the key decision maker with 40% listing this as a priority, closely followed by working from home with 35% selecting this as most important to them, Higher pay was also listed as a priority at 21% followed by mental health policies at 4% (18,011 votes)

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Our recent poll highlighted that ‘Salary & Package’ is still the main driver when someone is considering a career move at this time and this could be very much fuelled by the rise in the cost of living over the past few months. Career Progression and Flexible Working are equally as important from the findings however some of the comments received focused on the importance of the culture of the organisation as if the culture is not positive, supportive and progressive then the other factors which you thought were top of your list will feel less important over time. We strongly advise our clients to work on building a positive workplace culture by connecting people to a purpose, building strong employee relationships, open communication & transparency at all times, and recognising those who go above and beyond.

Michelle Murphy Collins McNicholas Recruitment

In a recent Global Hiring Realities Survey conducted by Morgan McKinley we found that 82% of employees said they would change employer if they were not offered flexibility.

Closer to home, Niall Harris and the team at our Morgan McKinley Limerick office conducted a poll which said 75% of respondents wished to work 2-3 days from home per week, with 20% requesting wholly remote. However our national database still shows that 20% of candidates registered with us do not want remote working in any format and wish to work as they did pre-pandemic. HR and Business Leaders are challenged therefore to develop a catch-all policy that ensures that those requesting remote working, hybrid working or office only based working are all considered and included. Furthermore, we are starting to see some employers consider ways in which to retain employees who have either moved back to their home country or in special circumstances have requested to work from ‘anywhere’. The Employer of Record model has been said to mitigate the risks associated with doing this as it negates the requirement to establish a legal entity structure in the country in which the employee is working in, but if done on a larger scale represents a risk to our talent ‘stock’ in Ireland. Further to all this, there are undoubtedly testing times ahead for employers to foster a culture of inclusion for all their employees modelled around a flexible working environment for all. We are seeing employers investing in upgrading their office space to facilitate more collaborative spaces and enable coming to the office ‘for a purpose’ rather than as a requirement. This is coupled with developing meeting policies that curate involvement from all participants, inhouse mentoring programmes to support learning of new graduate talent and many social initiatives as things start to open up to better connect employees to each other in this new world of working.

Trayc Keevans Director - Foreign Direct Investment | Global

So today we’re asking:

Do you think traditional office work will change forever post-pandemic?

GROW Your Business:

www.limerickchamber.ie

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