“We have availed of various Enterprise Ireland supports including overseas advice, R&D grants and Lean supports. We are very focused on efficiency, and the Lean supports have been invaluable in this regard.
Enterprise Ireland’s emphasis on Lean practices helped us to take things a step further and go for Shingo accreditation, the programme for which we started in 2016.”
When it comes to Enterprise Ireland supports, Chanelle Group has availed of many initiatives which have made a difference to the Galway manufacturing company.
Tom Kelly, divisional manager for life sciences and the team at Enterprise Ireland have been a great support to Chanelle Group over the years, according to founder and managing director Michael Burke.
Having started the generic veterinary and human pharmaceuticals company in 1985, Burke was focused on exports from the very early days. Enterprise Ireland was always by the company’s side as it made strategic shifts along the way such as in 1996 when it became more focused on Europe.
Awarded by the Shingo Institute at the Jon M Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo prize goes to organisations that demonstrate a culture where principles of operational excellence are deeply embedded into the thinking and behaviour of all leaders, managers and employees.
Chanelle is also in the process of completing a 30,000 sq ft expansion of its 300,000 sq ft facility in Loughrea as part of a €70m investment programme supported by Enterprise Ireland. This will double production capacity at the site and lead to the creation of 175 new jobs over the next five years.
