There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, according to Snickers Workwear, who’ve launched two new offers on their cutting edge clothing to help Irish workers cope with the extremes of the coming winter.

As the nights close in and the temperature drops people have to still keep working, especially in these tough times when workers can’t afford to be losing days due to bad weather, so preparation and wearing suitable clothing is vital.

Snickers’ specialist clothing works in a layering system, that starts with a special thermal first layer that is vital at this time of year, which they’re offering as part of two new deals on winter essentials.

-> Snickers’ new 1118 Power  Winter Jacket can be got along with a long sleeve first layer thermal and beanie hat for only €79.95 (incl. VAT) – a saving of over €30.

-> For the lower body Snickers have a deal where you can buy their 3214 Canvas +™ Trousers combined with their first layer thermal long johns for only €89.95 (incl VAT).

Specifications

1118 Winter Jacket – for reliable on the job warmth. A rugged Winter Jacket with smooth quilt liner and ergonomic cut for real working comfort and maximum freedom of movement.  True pre bent sleeves – anticipating a
natural working position. High cut front for easy access to trouser pockets and a shaped back that follows the natural shape of the body, extra-long for protection in all positions

3214 Canvas+™ Trousers – Made from our patented Canvas+™ fabric it provides extremely durable and comfortable trousers. Cordura®-Polyamide reinforcements provide extra support. Whilst the Twister Leg™, Snickers Gusset™ and kneepad pockets for the KneeGuard™ gives maximum functionality and extra-protection.

First Layer Thermals – Snickers’ thermals keeps the body warm and dry, whilst transporting moisture away from the skin. The quick drying fabric is treated with an anti-odour to keep the wearer fresh even under extreme
conditions.

Beanie – 80% of our body heat escapes through our heads so this soft and comfortable beanie is designed with a cosy fleece lining and soft fabric.

Snickers Workwear’s range of clothing and accessories are available at over 300 stores across Ireland – a full list of retailers and a catalogue is on their website www.snickersworkwear.ie or by calling 01 409 8400.

For more information please contact Simon Palmer of Republic PR – tel: 01 282 2504 or email simon@republicpr.ie

About Snickers Workwear

Snickers manufacture and provide
workwear for professional tradesmen and service people. Their products are
renowned for their quality, function and innovative solutions. The company was
founded in Sweden in 1975
and since then has grown strongly so that today Snickers Workwear is one of Europe’s leading brands in workwear, and is represented
in 15 countries.

The firm was founded by Matti Viio who
worked as an electrician from 1959 to 1972. In those years working methods,
technology, materials and tools had evolved, but workwear was still the same as
in the mid-nineteenth century. Workwear failed to fill modern requirements
concerning function, comfort and design with manufacturers showing no interest
in the workers’ real needs. In the end Matti Viio designed his own garments to wear
for work.

Sophisticated testing and quality control procedures are carried
out at every stage of the process, from the moment a new design leaves the
drawing board through to final quality certification. Snickers Workwear makes
relevant functions on durable and reliable garments to fit the roughest
conditions.

Ends

Social media agency Simply Zesty wins four new international clients

Niall Harbison and Lauren Fisher founders of Simply Zesty

JOHN COLLINS

DUBLIN-BASED social media agency Simply Zesty has won four new international clients and employment at the firm has increased to 25.

The new clients are pan-European online travel agency Ebookers; data analytics firm Teradata, Russian anti-virus software specialist Kaspersky Lab; and Eurofound, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

Simply Zesty co-founder Niall Harbison said growth at the firm, which was founded in 2009, was being driven by a “combination of factors”, including changing media spending habits.

“Budgets for media spend are shrinking and clients are looking for a better return on their investment so they are turning to social media,” said Mr Harbison. “It’s also more measurable than other media.”

The agency, which will soon outgrow its third office in less than two years, provides a range of services to clients including creating Facebook apps, producing and promoting viral videos and monitoring what is being said about organisations online.

Simply Zesty has worked with brand names such as Sony, Universal Music, Vodafone, ESPN and News International. However, Mr Harbison said not all of the agency’s work was with big names as it also provided training for smaller firms on how to handle their own social media presence.

Jaded by attending technology conferences and meeting the same lawyers, accountants and advisers seeking to drum up business, Mr Harbison decided to invest time in Simply Zesty’s corporate blog, which comments on social media issues. It now has more than one million visitors a month and has attracted business inquiries from Germany, Sweden and Russia.

Last year, Simply Zesty hired Ken Fitzpatrick, a former chief executive of Denis O’Brien-backed recruitment firm Saongroup, to take over the day-to-day running of the agency from Mr Harbison and his co-founder, Lauren Fisher.

“From his experience with Saongroup he’s been a great help in scaling the firm,” said Mr Harbison.

Mr Harbison, a former chef who came to prominence when he pitched his idea for an online recipe site on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, now spends more of his time engaging with social media, writing the company blog and expanding the agency’s range of products and services.

Simply Zesty took a €500,000 investment from market-research firm the Oxford Research Agency last year but Mr Harbison said the company was profitable.

Ends

New appointments by Teradata, Kaspersky Lab, Eurofound, and ebookers takes Irish social media agency’s revenue from exports to 25%

Niall Harbison and Lauren Fisher founders of Simply Zesty

2nd December, 2011; Dublin, Ireland: Simply Zesty, the Dublin-based social media agency founded by Niall Harbison and Lauren Fisher, has today announced it has secured four new major international clients. It means the young company, which was only set up in 2009 and employs 25 people at its St Stephen’s Green HQ, now generates 25% of its revenue from outside Ireland. The firm expects this figure to increase significantly in the next two years and will soon outgrow its third office.

Simply Zesty is synonymous in Ireland for its clever social media campaigns, which have garnered them international recognition and helped build an enviable client list of major worldwide brands including: Sony, Universal Music, Vodafone, ESPN and News International.
Their reputation abroad has been boosted by the success of their marketing blog, which is now one of the biggest in Europe, with over one million readers per month and is regularly cited as a powerful online resource for social media news. It is now ranked at 75 on the Ad Age 150 – a global index of marketing blogs.

The power of the marketing blog has been integral in winning new international business. Kaspersky Lab, the Russian anti-virus software specialists and Eurofound, the European Union’s Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, both heard about the company through the success of the blog – showing that proof really is in the pudding when it comes to digital marketing.

The prominence of Simply Zesty in implementing powerful social media campaigns brought it to the attention of its two other new international clients Teradata, one of world’s largest data warehousing companies, and ebookers the well known travel firm. Simply Zesty has run successful online recruitment campaigns for Teradata in Ireland, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Russia; the firm is now developing a website for the whole EMEA market to manage further recruitment campaigns. ebookers Ireland has been a client for Simply Zesty since the start of 2011, and the agency has now won ebookers UK as a full time client, as well as implementing campaigns for France and the Netherlands.

Niall Harbison, CEO of Simply Zesty, says: “Our continued growth is being driven by changing spending habits on media. With budgets shrinking companies are looking for a better return on their investment so they are turning to social media, which has proved very effective for promoting brands and the impact of campaigns is more measurable than other media.

“We have been able to grow the company to 25 positions in one of the toughest business environments this country has seen. It’s an exciting business to be in and the fact that Dublin is becoming such an international hub for technology means we are well positioned to expand further over the next couple of years. Our clients our increasingly viewing us as an international company rather than an Irish one, with a number of campaigns that we’ve run for our brands in Ireland now being rolled out across Europe.”

Campaigns conducted for Simply Zesty’s clients cover social media, Facebook applications, video production and brand monitoring. The company continues to produce work that gains worldwide recognition, such as a video they recently produced to promote the fruit distributor Top Fruit in the UK & Ireland, which was picked up by international sites including Mashable and Mac World, that resulted in video gathered over 100,000 views in one week alone. They also provide training to smaller firms on how to handle their own social media presence.

Niall and Lauren continue to grow Simply Zesty, backed by investment from the UK in 2010 and a strong team in Ireland that are determined to show the growth potential of indigenous Irish companies. Earlier this year the firm also opened their first office outside Ireland, in London’s prestigious West End.

More details on Simply Zesty can be found at http://www.simplyzesty.com. Information on
Kaspersky Lab, ebookers, Teradata and Eurofound can be obtained using the links below:

http://www.kaspersky.com/about
http://www.ebookers.com/info/page?id=AboutUs
http://www.teradata.com/about-us/
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/about/index.htm

For further information please contact Simon Palmer of Republic PR on +353 (0) 851 341 761 or email simon@republicpr.ie

–Notes to editors–

Niall Harbison has a proven online business background, having successfully launched the foodie social network Look and Taste. The site offered hundreds of professional video recipes and a full social network for members, including user-generated content and reviews.
Niall is now a recognised expert in using social media to grow your business, regularly speaking at conferences and seminars to train other businesses.

Lauren Fisher moved to Ireland to start Simply Zesty in July 2009 and oversees the execution of client campaigns. She is a regular contributor to business and media publications, writing articles on the benefits of social media for business and marketing.

Ends

14th November, 2011; Dublin, Ireland: Appreciating Assets, the Irish firm that specialises in helping people sell property to buyers from Russia and the former Soviet Union, has recently returned from a successful trip to The Moscow International Investment Show last month, where it sold 17 Irish owned properties valued at over €1m in only two days.

A further 100 buyers have signed up for inspection trips to view properties before the end of the year. The inspection trips are not funded by Appreciating Assets, they are funded by the investors, ensuring they are serious buyers.

Bulgaria continues to remain the most popular destination for Russia property buyers. The well-known expo had an entire exhibition hall dedicated to the Bulgarian Real Estate Salon. Many Russians are buying properties from Irish and British owners, with the properties sold being mainly apartments in complexes in the Black Sea resorts of St Vlas, Sosopol and Nessebar, whilst others were in the capital Sofia and the ski resort of Pamporovo.

Dylan Cullen, founder of Appreciating Assets, comments on the successful sales trip: “Russian is definitely where it is at for us at the moment, so much so that we’re ensuring our clients’ properties are exhibited directly to Russian buyers. That means taking them to Moscow, a move which paid of successfully for them last month.

“Most people in Russia are not oligarchs, so they’re not buying properties in Mayfair or Chamonix, that’s the minority. Middle class Russians just want a holiday home somewhere warm, that’s not too far away. Bulgaria is to them what the equivalent of Spain is to us. But, they’re not buoyed by credit like Irish buyers were during the Celtic Tiger, so they pay cash; it is price, rather than quality determines whether a sale is successful or not for them.”

Agents representing Appreciating Assets will be back in Moscow later this month at the Moscow International Property Show, being held on the 18th and 19th November, 2011. Further details on the show can be found at www.internationalproperty.ru/

There is still time if owners wish to have their properties featured in Moscow.  They should call Appreciating Assets on + 353 (0) 1 614 1300 or +44 (0) 203 286 1958 or see www.appreciatingassets.ie for further details.

For more information please contact Simon Palmer of Republic on 01 282 2504 or email simon@republicpr.ie.

Notes to editors

Dublin based Appreciating Assets Ltd has was set up in 2004 to focus on logistics and manufacturing developments along European Strategic Corridors in Easter Europe. An Irish owned firm, they have offices in Dublin, London and Sofia. The Directors have almost twenty years’ experience in the investment sector, they have funded and developed several successful projects in the South of France, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, with a focus on syndicated investments funds and commercial developments, as well as high end residential developments. Since 2008 they carved a niche helping British and Irish investors re-sell their overseas properties for foreign buyers, particularly from Russia, which is now the main focus of the business.

Ends

9th November, 2011; Roscommon, Ireland: The deluge of floods that hit Dublin could have been largely avoided if the Irish authorites had used our award winning flood barrier.  The Big Bags’ System is the fastest flood barrier, from Roscommon firm Global Flood Solutions. It was recently used to protect facilities in Washington DC from this year’s biggest natural disaster, Hurricane Irene, yet Irish authorities have yet to purchase a cost effective Irish solution to an Irish problem.

In Clontarf, in Dublin, the City Council is planning to spend €11m on building a 3.5m flood bank in order protect the area from tidal flooding. Global Flood Solutions surveyed the Clontarf seafront last week and have been speaking with local groups. They estimate that by providing their Big Bags’ System flood barrier as an alternative solution, Dublin City Council could save €6m alone on this project.

The new proposals have been agreed using the Council’s fast-track planning powers, which do not provide for public consultation. This has resulted in a huge amount of opposition from local businesses and residents who feel strongly that scheme will damage the seafront and provide a permanent eyesore even when there isn’t a threat from flooding. Global Flood Solutions firmly believes that given the importance and cost of the controversial project, that the plans should opened to more of debate with local stakeholders as to all the possible options for a flood barrier in Clontarf.

The firm’s Big Bags’ System could also have helped protect many areas of Dublin during last week’s flooding. In the winter there is a constant threat that Dublin’s three main rivers the Liffey, Tolka and Dodder could flood, due to the inadequacy of the rivers defences. Last week the Stillorgan Reservoir was also breached. Such instances of flooding in Dublin could be avoided using the Big Bags’ Systems providing an additional flood barrier and protect the city. The Big Bags’ System can be left as a permanent defence over the winter months and removed when flood threats abate, leaving no impact on the environment or local amenities. Each System extends to a 4.5m linear waterproof barrier almost a metre high, consisting of five consecutive polypropylene bags with a waterproof sealant, which can be stacked for a higher defence and laid consecutively so there are no gaps for water to penetrate.

In instances where there are known to be weaknesses in the drains’ system, and where flooding occurs due to backing up of the system, the big bags can be deployed along thoroughfares which are prone to flooding, thus protecting the businesses and residences along those routes.

Global Flood Solutions also believes that the Big Bags’ System could have helped protect Dundrum Town Centre by deflecting water away from the shopping centre. It would be impractical to lay the systems around the whole of the Centre, but for instances like last week, where flood waters came down from higher ground, then the Big Bags’ Systems could have be deployed along the entrances facing Sandyford Road in order to deflect flood waters away from the centre and further down the road.

Shane Curran, Managing Director of Global Flood Solutions, adds: “we pride ourselves on providing a flood defence system that can rapidly respond to the growing needs of international governments to protect lives and vital infrastructure. This year alone we have protected the city of Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada; and DC Water’s Blue Plains facility, the largest waste water treatmentcerntre in the world. The Big Bags’ System is also currently being field tested in different scenarios by the UK’s Environment Agency.

“We are an the only Irish company that is supplying a multi-award-winning affordable flood barrier to local authorities across the world and we’d be delighted to engage with our own authorities to deliver a comprehensive solution to our own flooding problems.”

As flooding becomes more widespread and difficult to predict the EU Floods Directive advises more rapid-response temporary measures as they are required, thus reducing costs to the exchequer on funding permanent barriers and lessening the permanent impact on the environment.

In Ireland the distribution contract for the Big Bags’ System has just been awarded to Kilkenny company MW Hire in a deal that was agreed in the wake of the floods last week. It is estimated to worth €3.2m over three years.

For enquiries please contact Simon Palmer or Republic PR on +353 (0) 851 341 761 or email simon@republicpr.ie

Note to Editors

Specifications of the Big Bags Defence System

The major advantage of the Big Bag Defence System is its concertina design of five robust polypropylene bags, which means it can be deployed and filled within two minutes, faster than any other flood defence system, and costs less per unit than more conventional sandbags. Each Big Bag Defence System extends to 4.5m in length, and 0.9m in height and width, and provides a barrier equivalent to 670 conventional sand bags. It is water repellent on the front side and has a unique filtration component on the rear side, which allows the rainwater to seep out. 1000m of the Big Bag Defence System can be deployed within a few hours, with minimum levels of labour required. This speed is aided by the lifting capabilities of the bags within the system, which have been rigorously tested and has a 5:1 safety factor. This also helps the speed and ease of the removal and clean-up operation, leaving no permanent impact on the area. As well as flooding it can be used as multi-purpose barrier in that can be deployed in water, used in specialist uses such as coastal erosion, military emplacements, oil spill contamination, bridge repairs, and environmental projects. Once removed it provides no lasting effects on the environment so it can be used as temporary barrier in environmentally sensitive locations.

About Global Flood Solutions

Global Flood Solutions is a 100% Irish owned company based in Co. Roscommon, it was set up by two Roscommon natives Shane Curran and Gerard Brennan in 2009.  The company’s team has over 30 years combined experience in innovation and engineering. They are the exclusive suppliers of the Big Bag System in Ireland, UK and many other countries throughout the World.

Managing Director, Shane Curran is best known in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) circles as the former goalkeeper for Roscommon Senior football team and was a League of Ireland goalkeeper for Athlone Town Football Club. He has extensive experience the construction and sport industries. In 2005 he was commissioned by the GAA to invent a new type of Gaelic Football kicking tee, from which he invented Puntee™ kicking Tee, which is currently in use by GAA clubs.

Gerard Brennan is Director of International Operations, has 17 years’ engineering experience. He was formerly employed in senior engineering positions with the UK’s Laing O’ Rourke Group, Irish firms McEniff Group, Glenbeigh Construction and Kilroe Developments, where he built homes for the super-rich such as Michael O’ Leary (Ryanair) and Adam Clayton of U2.

Global Flood Solutions has also partnered up with Frank McNamara to open a US office in Boston. Frank also originates from Co. Roscommon but has lived in the US for twenty years where he runs Global Flood Solutions America.
For more details please see http://www.globalfloodsolutions.ie/

It will be a magnet for lovers of fashion and “style with a history” with over fifty specialists from all over Ireland displaying and selling a wide range of vintage clothes and retro décor. There will be plenty to satisfy the discerning shopper looking for something unique with all sorts of original memorabilia – from 1950s radios to film posters, pretty china to opera glasses. It is a treasure trove of all that was loved and cared for in the 20th century.

There’ll be a lot more to the Dublin Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair than glamorous frocks and elegant hats. With retro makeovers and best dressed competitions expect a stunning parade of retro style, as fairgoers compete for the many prizes. And, with all day vintage entertainment dancing in the retro cocktail bar, you can have fun while spending less and buying ethically.

Joan Murray, producer of the Vintage Fashion & Decor Fair, says: “There is a resurgence in retro and vintage fashion in Ireland. The number of specialists in this area has mushroomed across Ireland recently and most of them will be exhibiting on Sunday. With the success of Irish singers like Imelda May promoting classic styles and the popularity of TV shows like Mad Men and Pan Am, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular”.

What else is happening on the day?

The Team of Stylists and Vintage Experts

- Vintage stylist, Irene O’Brien, will oversee a complete vintage transformation for one lucky prizewinner, which the attendees at the fair can view from start to finish. From “before”, through a choice of fashion era, hair and makeup, and final reveal on stage.  Irene will also be busy throughout the day spotting the most glamorous ladies and gents for the numerous spot prizes, and the Best Dressed final.

- Retro hair stylist Joyce Clarke-Henry of JCH will give a demo and advice on creating a vintage style. Individual vintage hair styling will also be available for those who want to re-capture that retro glamour for themselves.

- Two makeup experts, Chris Loh from Smashbox and Amanda Hynes from Inglot Cosmetics will be giving makeup demonstration and tips, plus individual makeovers to re-create the look of your favourite movie star.

- Makeovers for Men: the Waldorf Barbershop is one of Dublin’s oldest men’s barbers, and is located in an original 1950s salon on Westmoreland Street. They will be providing a complete male grooming service with hot towel shave, moustache waxing and retro hair styles.

- Photographers: Suzanna of White Lil Photographic and Ross Waldron of Rossco Photography will be recording all the excitement of the day, from start to finish, with images posted to our Twitter and Facebook pages after the event and downloads available on request.

MC for the day is Karl X Byrne, producer of the Burlesque and Cabaret Social Club, Dublin’s hottest cabaret. Karl will oversee the music and entertainment in the retro Cocktail Bar where you can take to the floor for to lindi hop or jive the afternoon away.

The Best Dressed Competition

Many of the fair-goers take advantage of the opportunity to dress up in their finest vintage just for fun, or in the hope of winning a spot prize or overall Most Stylish Vintage. The competition is open to men and women. Throughout the day, stylist Irene will pick out paragons of vintage style, to be interviewed on stage about what they are wearing, and ask them to do the model walk for the audience. This is one of the most popular elements of the fair, everyone can join in and most people love showing off and acting the supermodel for a few minutes.

The Dublin Vintage Fashion & Decor Fair
Autumn 2011
Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
Sunday 13th November
11.30am – 6.30pm
Admission €6
For more details visit www.VintageIreland.eu.
Web: www.vintageireland.eu

Finally anyone with a classic car is asked to bring them along where they will be parked outside the hotel on show and with drivers and all their occupants granted free access to the Fair.

For further details please contact Simon Palmer on 0851341761 or email simon@graftonmedia.com

Global Flood Solutions will now supply The MW Hire Group with the Big Bags Defence System exclusively for three years in Ireland. The multi-purpose defence barrier, which is primarily used to protect from flooding, is already used worldwide where the system has been identified for use by major NGOs in disaster relief and within the oil industry.

Shane Curran, Managing Director of Global Flood Solutions said: “The Big Bag Defence System continues to be in demand from around the world so it’s nice to have a deal that’s a bit closer to home. It makes perfect sense for both companies; having an exclusive supplier in Ireland, frees us to focus on the next stage of our expansion, which is to countries outside Europe. The MW Hire Group already have similar products the Big Bags Defence System can be used with, for example it can be deployed into flood water in order to allow  an area to be pumped clear of flooding using The MW Hire Group’s pumping equipment and generators. They’re a very successful Irish company that is exporting all over the world; so they’ll also dovetail nicely with our expansion abroad.”
The MW Hire Group is a major supplier of water pumps and plant to industry worldwide. The Big Bags Defence System is an obvious choice of product to offer alongside their existing range, which is often supplied to organisations that are affected by flooding, or used in engineering and mining projects that involve water clearance. They’ll also offer the system to international clients.

Matty Walsh, Managing Director of The MW Hire Group said: “The beauty of the Big Bags Defence System is that it’s simple and effective to use, but the main attraction to us is the number of different uses. The flexibility of the system means it to be used in a variety of scenarios. It fits perfectly with our products and we’ve already had demand for it from our existing clients, where it was recently identified for use in a large weirdevelopment. We’ve also recently supplied major infrastructure projects along the Panama Canal and to Abu Dhabi; I envisage similar projects will require the system in the future.”

The linear concertina design of the Big Bags Defence System makes it perfect for protecting transport infrastructure from flooding; Global Flood Solutions have already received interest from the National Roads Authority and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) to protect road and rail networks, as well as The Office of Public Works in relation to river and canal deployment, where it is estimated it can save these departments thousands in manpower costs alone.

Each system of Big Bags Defence System consists of five robust water repellent polypropylene bags, which can be rapidly deployed with minimum levels of labour required. The system has multi-purpose uses and can be used not only for flood defence and water clearance, but in coastal erosion, cofferdams, and levees/dykes. As flooding becomes more widespread and difficult to predict the EU Floods Directive advises more rapid-response temporary measures as they are required, thus reducing costs to the exchequer on funding permanent barriers and lessening the permanent impacton the environment.

For enquiries please contact Simon Palmer or Republic PR on +353 (0) 851 341 761 or email simon@republicpr.ie

Note to Editors
Specificationsof the Big Bags Defence System

Themajor advantage of the Big Bag Defence System is its concertina design of fiverobust polypropylene bags, which means it can be deployed and filled within twominutes, faster than any other flood defence system, and costs less per unit than more conventional sandbags. Each Big Bag Defence System extends to 4.5m inlength, and 0.9m in height and width, and provides a barrier equivalent to 670 conventional sand bags. It is water repellent on the front side and has a unique filtrationcomponent on the rear side, which allows the rainwater to seep out. 1000m ofthe Big Bag Defence System can be deployed within a few hours, with minimumlevels of labour required. This speed is aided by the lifting capabilities of the bags within the system, which have been rigorously tested and has a 5:1 safety factor. This also helps the speed and ease of the removal and cleanup operation, leaving no permanent impact on the area. As well as flooding it can be used as multi-purpose barrier in that can be deployed in water, used in specialist uses such as coastal erosion, military emplacements, oil spill contamination, bridge repairs, and environmental projects. Once removed it provides no lasting effects on the environment so it can be used as temporary barrier in environmentally sensitive locations.

About Global Flood Solutions

Global Flood Solutions is a 100% Irish owned company based in Co. Roscommon, it was set up by two Roscommon natives Shane Curran and Gerard Brennan in 2009.  The company’s team has over 30 years combined experience in innovation and engineering. They are the exclusive suppliers of the Big Bag System in Ireland, UK and many other countries throughout the World.
Managing Director, Shane Curran is best known in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) circles as the former goalkeeper for Roscommon Senior football team and was a League of Ireland goalkeeper for Athlone Town Football Club. He has extensive experience the construction and sport industries. In 2005 he was commissioned by the GAA to invent a new type of Gaelic Football kicking tee, from which he invented Puntee™ kicking Tee, which is currently in use by GAA clubs.

Gerard Brennan is Director of International Operations, has 17 years’ engineering experience. He was formerly employed in senior engineering positions with the UK’s Laing O’ Rourke Group, Irish firms McEniff Group, Glenbeigh Construction and Kilroe Developments, where he built homes for the super rich such as Michael O’ Leary (Ryanair) and Adam Clayton of U2.

Global Flood Solutions has also partnered up with Frank McNamara to open a US office in Boston. Frank also originates from Co. Roscommon but has lived in the US for twenty years where he runs Global Flood Solutions America.

For more details please see http://www.globalfloodsolutions.ie/

About the The MW Hire Group

The MW Hire Group is almost twenty years old; it was established by Matty Walsh in 1992. Over the years the business has grown into Ireland’s leading supplier for rental and sale of equipment to the engineering, infrastructure, construction, quarry and mining sectors. Located in Urlingford, Kilkenny, the firm employs substantial staff with offices in Kilkenny and London. It is undertaking an impressive expansion programme, which will see them open four new offices in Europe over the coming year in Manchester, London, Berlin and Warsaw, in order to assist their growing network of European clients, most notably Siemens, where they are working on a number of renewable energy projects.

The company has achieved double-accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), firstly for ISO9001, which recognises the standard for the quality control in the company’s management; secondly, it has been awarded ISO 14001, the internationally-recognised standard for environmental management systems that is applicable to any business or organisation, regardless of size, location or income.

The MW Hire Group are the recent winners of Excellence Business Awards 2011, which are awarded annually by Public Sector Magazine, where they were ‘outright winners’ in the “Plant Hire & Sales” sector.

For more details please see http://www.mwhire.com/

Grandmaster Howard talked about his promotion in North Korea and showed that at 73 he’s lost little of prowess. Some of his younger more nimble students did the more complicated kicks and punches including a smashing of brick with one punch and the breaking of up to ten tiles with flying kicks. They were even able to break tiles just with their wrists, thus proving that any part of your body can be used to defend yourself.

Sybils was a great sport and even held board as it was broken by Grandmaster Howard’s seven year old grandson Finn.

Please click here to view the TV3 feature

Here is an amusing piece that appeared in The Irish Daily Mail today.

The Irish Daily Mail (5th Sept) - click to zoom

A great job vacancy has arisen for anyone interested in fashion, Snickers Workwear are currently recruiting for a new Marketing Coordinator. Snickers Workear are a Swedish company that practically invented workwear in 1970s. Since then they have become synonymous with stylish, durable and comforable workwear. These days their gear is worn by everyone from tradesmen (and women) to sailors or snowboarders. Whether it’s work, outdoor pursuits or just relaxing about, their clothes can withstand anything the elements can throw at them and because they’re designed as workwear they’re very comfy.

Here are the details:

Marketing Coordinator

Snickers Workwear is Ireland’s leading supplier of high quality functional workwear, designed for professional trade’s people as well as the service, maintenance, distribution and manufacturing sectors. Our products are designed specifically for professionals and the companies they work for.

Reporting directly to our sales and marketing manager the ideal candidate should be a good communicator, market oriented and excel when working individually. You will be part of a dynamic team and will receive a full introduction in our Dublin office as well as our head office in Stockholm.

If you are enthusiastic and would welcome the challenge of working in a fast moving industry we would like to hear from you. Applicants should preferably have at least 2/3 years experience but this is not essential.

Job Description

• Responsibility for producing sales & marketing material for our network of sales representatives. Using Adobe Illustrator, In Design, Powerpoint, Excel etc.
• Producing adverts based on material in our own picture database and current editorials.
• Local adaption’s of marketing and communication materials that are sent from our head office in Sweden.
• Co-ordination of sales and marketing activities within Tradewear. Including administration and follow up of the marketing plan presented by the MD.
• Liaison with third parties such as printers, trade publications, sponsored partners, agencies etc
• Contact with our network or trade outlets regarding Point of Sales material etc.
• Liaising with our head office marketing department regarding PR, advertising materials and other activities etc.
• Public relations support including contact with target media e.g. sending out and follow-up of press releases.
• Administration of  Irish website and Facebook and social media campaigns.
• Proof reading of local and central material.

Candidate

The ideal candidate would be highly motivated with excellent administration and organisational skills.  Have good communication skills.  The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Must have good computer skills and be proficient in Outlook, Word , Excel. Knowledge of the above programs and PowerPoint would be an advantage.

Salary:

TBC – please ask for further details.

There’s more information on the Snickers Workwear’s website, go to www.snickersworkwear.ie for further information or their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SnickersWorkwearIreland

Snickers Workwear, Unit B5, Calmount Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12. Tel: 01- 409 8400.

Please send a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and a CV to Jenny.Johnston@snickers-workwear.com

Good luck with your application.

Simon