Gilmore Clarke Electrical: Ambassadors of local enterprise

Cavan may no longer be a household name in terms of football success but people from the county are scaling the summits of success in another arena - that is in the field of business with a growing battalion of entrepreneurs from Breffni extending their frontiers of endeavour throughout Ireland and overseas. Gilmore Clarke Electrical from Cootehill, overall winners at the recent County Enterprise Board awards, is one such business going from strength to strength since its humble beginnings 12 years ago. The company specialises in process control and automation - a line of service provision, which includes the creation of control systems for water treatment and waste water treatment plants in a wide sphere of industrial life. Gilmore Clarke Electrical has grown steadily over the past decade to one of this region's energetic business enterprises that is commissioned by leading entities such as ESB and British Gas. Paul Clarke who heads up the business emphasises though that no job is too big or too small. "We provide the automation for water systems necessary for the operation of concrete works, quarries, oil plants, water and gas installations," says Paul who further reveals that Gilmore Clarke Electrical undertake a significant level of work for Response Engineering in Cork, which is big into water and waste water provision. The Cootehill company now has a healthy order book throughout Ireland. They have also successfully completed contracts in Tanzania and Tunisia - the high standing of the company in its chosen field of service provision now opening doors to very useful business projects in both the developed and developing worlds. However, a true Cavan born entrepreneur, Paul Clarke has his feet firmly set upon the ground and places a high degree of importance on the company's business here in Ireland particularly in this region. Gilmore Clarke Electrical instal the automation systems for a large stock of local authority water and waste water plants as well as for hotels, credit unions and other highly intensive work establishments. Paul emphasises the key role that is played in the company's growth by engineers, workshop managers and entire staff including the office staff. "It is a team effort and I am no good without them," he stresses. The word of mouth recommendation is the oldest and most successful form of advertising, he says. Gilmore Clarke Electrical is highly regarded by suppliers like Schneider and Rockwell Automation being integrated partners with both companies, which are currently making a big push in the marketing of water and waste water systems. Paul Clarke pays tribute to the support given to the company by Cavan County Enterprise Board. "They have given us a lot of help and mentoring, Vincent Reynolds, Jim Fox and the people behind them over there," he remarks. Gilmore Clarke Electrical are one of the successful companies, which have grown from incubation stage to fully fledged operation in the Cootehill Enterprise Centre. In fact they were the first clients in the Enterprise Centre when it opened about ten years ago. Paul Clarke is adamant that the Enterprise Centre, which was promoted by the Cavan County Enterprise Board, has played a dynamic role in the development of business opportunity in the Cootehill area. "There are a tremendous number of small businesses, which are doing very well at the Enterprise Centre. They have given many people the opportunity," he observes. Gilmore Clarke Electrical is moving to a new factory premises on the Cavan Road in two months time - this custom built facility designed to facilitate the company's growth into the future. Including sub contractors, there is a staff of up to 40 personnel engaged in the business. Indeed Paul Clarke informs us that there are in fact two companies now functioning under the Gilmore Clarke umbrella with J. & A. Controls responsible for software development and controls running alongside the parent company. Gilmore Clarke Electrical are the overall winners of the 2009 County Cavan Enterprise Board awards, which honour and encourage entrepreneurial spirit. They are now through to the regional finals and are wished further success here by their many friends from the business world. Commenting on the firm's success in the County Enterprise Board awards, the CEO of Cavan County Enterprise Board, Vincent Reynolds, referred to the exceptional performance of Gilmore Clarke Electrical in adverse economic conditions. He says that the innovative qualities of the company are central to its success in finding a niche market for the manufacture of units used by local authorities and a wide sphere of business life. The County Enterprise Board awards are in their 12th year and two County Cavan firms have gone on to take the national title, while four or five others have been runners-up. County Cavan national winners include Obelisk which went on to win awards internationally while Crannagh, the company founded by Michelle and Carol Lynch in Belturbet, won in 2007. Ballytherm Ltd also won the Exporter of the Year Award - a prestigious competition organised by the Irish Exporters Association. "It all reflects very well on the quality of the entrepreneurs who come forward from Cavan," says Vincent Reynolds. Besides the support provided by Mr. Reynolds and the staff of Cavan County Enterprise Board, Paul Clarke is also appreciative of the professional advice and encouragement of Hugh Lennon. Paul is married to Pauline and they have two children, Jack and Adam. Pauline is also a director of the company.