A company who supplies the international film industry with model making, set design/props and unique prosthetic developments has been announced as this year’s overall winner of the Limerick final of the National Enterprise Awards. Mark Maher Models Ltd trading as Odyssey Studios was named at a gala ceremony in the Limerick Strand Hotel this afternoon (02 Mar 2020), which marks the start of Local Enterprise Week 2020.
Odyssey Studios was set up in 2017 by Mark Maher and currently employs six people at its base in Corcanree Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick. The firm took the top prize of € 2,500 and will now represent Local Enterprise Office Limerick at the 22nd National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin in May.
Odyssey Studios is involved in core support to the international film industry and provides model making, set design/props, unique prosthetic developments (sales and rental). The products and services that the business provides are in high demand within the industry. Using cutting-edge 3D computer design technology, and 3D Printing and Robotic Manufacturing Processes they seamlessly move from concept, to design, and into production.
The business is planning on expanding into two key areas to include the area of exhibition fit-out and design, as well as the provision of specialist training to meet the growing demand of the industry.
The company was also named as Best Manufacturing company at the awards.
Speaking after the announcement Mark Maher said: “It’s absolutely amazing to win. We’ve had so much support from the Local Enterprise Office in Limerick, as starting off a new business is quite tough, but with their support we were able to get a good kick start. It’s going to be very helpful for us as we are looking to expand because of the success of Troy Studios. The Dock Road, where we are based, is fantastic. There is a terrific community here and any service or item we need, we can get it locally.”
Other winners at the Limerick City and County Enterprise Awards were:
- Business Start-Up Lough Gur Pottery
- Retail Barker and Bowes
- Service Precision Utility Mapping
- Innovation Mackessy Technology Ltd
Odyssey Studios will now be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €40,000 prize fund as national judging gets underway in April.
Categories this year include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Future Focus’ and ‘Innovation,’ in addition to eight regional awards.
The Limerick Enterprise Awards at the start of Local Enterprise Week, which includes a series of events across Limerick run by LEO Limerick from 02 to 06 March 2020, aimed at unlocking the potential of Limerick’s micro businesses and helping to light the spark of creativity and entrepreneurship among our local business community.
Speaking during Local Enterprise Week, Head of Enterprise with LEO Limerick Bernie Moloney said: “For the last two decades, the National Enterprise Awards have celebrated home-grown success stories from every corner of Ireland, putting their achievements into the national spotlight. And at the 2020 National Enterprise Awards, we are delighted to be represented by Mark Maher Models Ltd, yet another home-grown success story. The judges were particularly impressed by management and growth to date in this young business and we wish them continued success with their company expansion plans.”
Nineteen other local businesses were also shortlisted this year, showing this high standards in the submissions.
Other events taking place as part of the Local Enterprise Week include; Preparing for a Revenue Audit, Business Banking mMade Simple, Brexit Customs Compliance Procedures, Coaching for Leaders Masterclass, Digital Media Programmes for Business, Tendering and Intellectual Property Seminars and lots more…
Local Enterprise Week is organised by the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities and the Government of Ireland.