Profile of NWED 2010 Case Study Speakers
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Profile: Alison Boardman Unique Voice Language Institute Unique Voice Language Institute was established to meet the needs of the growing multi-cultural community and corporate markets. |
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Alison Boardman, Managing Director of Unique Voice Language Institute has over 15 years experience in the language services industries throughout Ireland and in Europe and Asia. She was Director of Studies for an international school in Portugal and taught English for many years in Portugal, Italy and Hong Kong. Alison received financial and training support from the Kerry County Enterprise Board, when she set up UVLI. She now employs 10 people and works with 1,200 contractors globally. The company only uses mother tongue translators and is one of the few translation companies that proofreads all translated documents twice. Examples of clients include the Courts, the Gardai, the Department of Social & Family Affairs, Kerry Group, Dairymaster and also provides services to 3rd level education. Alison’s research area is learner motivation and is undertaking a PhD in online language teaching. Enterprise Ireland has identified Unique Voice as a HPSU and is currently supporting Alison to explore internationalising the business. Her focus will initially be on the European corporate community, using an online platform. |
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Profile: Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice Limited Polar Ice Limited manufactures and distributes dry ice products. Dry ice is the common name for solid carbon dioxide (CO2). It is extremely cold (at -78°C) and sublimates (which means it turns directly from a solid into a gas) without residue. These properties make it extremely valuable as a refrigerant not only for chemical and technical applications but to a large extent, also in the food industry. |
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Established by the three Powell brothers, Polar Ice started life in 1996 with two employees and a plan to develop and drive the dry ice market throughout the island of Ireland. In the formative years, Polar Ice grew the market by 500% and took on more staff as they grew to a talented team of 6 full time and 4 part time employees. Alison Ritchie joined the board of directors in 2002, implementing a strategic change of direction for Polar Ice, concentrating fully on dry ice manufacturing. Staying in their hometown of Portarlington, the operation then moved to their new purpose built facility. By 2004, a state of the art CO2 liquefaction plant was completed, positioning Polar Ice as the industry leader and premium dry ice supplier in Ireland today. |
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Profile: Ann Marie Durkin, Shasta Shasta Limited is a highly innovative energetic company specialising in baby care products based in the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre at Athlone Institute of Technology. Shasta’s first product, Steri Soother, was the world’s first pre-sterilized baby soother. |
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Following unbelievable success both nationally and internationally we plan to innovate and develop new products. Using Innovation Vouchers and accessing the research resources of AIT, Shasta is now leading the way in the development of portable baby care sterilisation technologies. Steri Ova, a portable compact baby bottle steriliser, has been developed in collaboration with the Materials Research Institute and the Biosciences Research Institute at AIT.We also provide a range of stainless steel BPA free baby bottles a unique portable soother steriliser. |
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Steri Ova is now patent pending in 140 countries. Nypro Healthcare has been contracted to manufacture the product while Shasta is in negotiations with major retailers which will see Steri Ova on the shelves of thousands of retail stores across the world. |
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Profile: Donna Daly Blyth, Donna’s Dance Studio Donna Daly Blyth, Owner/Artistic Director of Donna’s Dance Studio and the Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy. |
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Over the years, thousands of dancers, young and old, from all over Cork City and County have experience the joy of dancing at Donna's Dance Studio. In that time the studio has gone from humble beginnings in the local parish hall to being Cork's most successful centre for dance and the performing arts. In Sept 2008, Donna led a team of dancers, administrators, and instructors to the brand new, state of the art studio at the Kinsale Rd., Roundabout. The 5,000 square foot facility includes three separate studios with viewing areas, retail facility, reception, and dressing rooms. Donna’s Dance Studio now employs a team of international teachers and staff conducting over 80 classes each week in 14 styles of dance. |
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Profile: Jennifer Ryan, Pónaire Coffee Ltd. Jennifer Ryan took her 20 years experience in marketing and consulting positions for Fortune 100 companies in the United States and used it to launch a coffee roasting business in Tipperary. Pónaire (Irish for 'bean') began in mid•2006, roasting specialty coffee in Tipperary. Pónaire imports raw beans from around the world, custom roasting, blending, and packaging coffee for some of the finest establishments in Ireland. The company is also the proud recipient of Bridgestone Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. |
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A family business run with her husband Tommy, Pónaire has continued steady growth over its 4 years of business. In early 2009, Pónaire moved into a new roastery/coffee shop in Annacotty Business Park and that year also set up their web site and added web sales. In June 2010, they expanded again by opening a second roastery and coffee bar in the renovated Milk Market in Limerick. Pónaire has been fortunate to have the early support of the SR Tipperary Enterprise Board for set up and further support from the Limerick County Enterprise Board for expansion in 2010 to Annacotty. Through a carefully planned growth strategy, they have increased their customer base each year and continue to increase turnover while managing costs thereby developing a strong and stable business in a volatile and uncertain economy. They have also added staff and extended their product offerings to include home grinders, specialty syrups and chocolate drinks. |
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Pónaire Coffee won Gold in the 2010 Great Taste Awards. Their Indian Blend (for filter/cafetiere) received 3 Gold Stars – the maximum awarded. Their Connoisseur Espresso Blend won a Gold for the second year in a row. The Great Taste Awards is the acknowledged benchmark for specialty food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘Epicurean equivalent to the Booker Prize.’ At the Guild of Fine Food Awards at Fortnum and Mason in London in September 2010, Pónaire was nominated for the best Specialty product from Ireland. Coffees can be purchased at their roastery in Annacotty Business Park, Limerick or at their new Roastery Coffee Bar in the Limerick Milk Market, or online at www.ponaire.ie.www.ponaire.ie Roastery 061 339 799 or 061 339 801 |
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