Klearcom was named Overall Waterford Business of the Year at the Waterford Business Awards on Friday, November 8th, by Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr Jason Murphy, during a gala awards dinner at the Tower Hotel.
Klearcom is the world's leading Customer Call Path Testing platform, assisting global organizations with real-time contact center testing. The Waterford-based company helps businesses manage incoming calls by testing interactive voice response (IVR) systems. The technology is especially useful for teams with constrained budgets that are looking to manage and filter large volumes of calls without losing customers.
The Waterford Business Awards, which are organised by Waterford Chamber, with support from Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber and WLR, were hosted by Mary O’Neill and celebrated the successes and contributions of the shortlisted companies.
Opening proceedings, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr Jason Murphy said: “Just look around you, the atmosphere here is electric – this is our business community and while only some of you will lift the trophies tonight, you are in fact all winners. You are what makes Waterford so special, from east to west we have vibrant, innovative, hardworking businesses and we must work together to build a stronger Waterford for everyone.
“Collaboration is key, support each other in business, shop local, support our festivals – Winterval is just around the corner and I want to see crowds out enjoying all we have to offer. We are the European City of Christmas – let's make sure we show them all how it is done.”
Mayor Murphy went on to highlight the importance of supporting local businesses by choosing the Think Waterford First Gift Cards and the Dungarvan Gift Vouchers, adding “By choosing to support these initiatives, you will be guaranteed your hard earned money is spent locally and they offer a fantastic choice, whether you want a night out, do the weekly shopping, buy clothes, go on a holiday, I could go on.
“Remember this is a tax free bonus and as employers you may need to be a little bit courageous and tell your staff that is the route you want to take for the betterment of all of Waterford. It is an investment in the future of where you are working.”
Category winners on the night included Nolke Opticians & Hearing for Best Retail Experience; Business of the Year (up to 20 employees) went to OfficeMaster; Fitzgerald Power took home the award for Business of the Year (up to 100 employees, while Eastgate Engineering were named Business of the Year (100+ employees). The award for Digital Campaign of the Year went to Liberty Blue Estate Agents; South East Technological University (SETU) won for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Workplace Excellence; Faithlegg were awarded for Excellence in Customer Experience; Dawn Meats were presented with Excellence in the Green Agenda; Klearcom got Excellence in Innovation as well as the Overall Waterford Business of the Year Award and the New Business of the Year award went to X35. Completing the roll of honour with The Taste of Waterford Award was The Moorings Restaurant & Bar and the Visit Waterford Award went to Ardmore Glamping Pods.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by workLAB, was presented to David Brennan, Eastgate Engineering, while the Judges Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Faithlegg, went to Irial Mac Murchu, founder of Nemeton TV.
The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and also by self-nomination in all categories. An independent judging panel, under the Chairmanship of Noel Kelly, and including Martin Freyne; Deirdre Houlihan, Faithlegg Hotel; Howard Kent, Kent Consulting; Lena Phelen, TriviumVet; Jacqui Gaule, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Neil Gough, WLR and Kathryn Kiely, SETU and Tommie Ryan, Waterford Chamber Skillnet, carried out the difficult task of selecting the final shortlist and category winners after a rigorous judging analysis of each application.
Following the awards, Kevin Doolin, Waterford Chamber President said, “On behalf of Waterford Chamber, I would like to congratulate Klearcom on being announced as the Overall Winner of the Waterford Business Awards and to all category winners and finalists – thank you. Without your hard work and determination our business community would not be as vibrant as it is today and we wish you all continued success.”
Meanwhile, Oren Byrne, President of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber said: “What a wonderful night of achievement for our business community. Well done to all of the winners and finalists. These awards showcase the very best in business and it is fantastic to be able to honour so many innovative and talented people across the city and county.”
Speaking on behalf of WLR, Michael Byrne, CEO, said: “WLR, as a local company with offices and studios in Waterford City and Dungarvan, was very pleased to be involved in both organising and promoting the Waterford Business Awards. It’s such a positive event for Waterford City and County with so many world class companies and innovative business people being honoured. My congratulations to all the nominees and winners and thanks to all who entered and supported the 2024 awards.”
Waterford City and County Council sponsored the Overall Waterford Business Award, Entrepreneur of the year was sponsored by workLAB, the Judges Special Recognition Award was sponsored by Faithlegg, while category sponsors include PTSB, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, House of Waterford, Cork Airport, Enerpower, Irish Centre for Diversity, AIB bank, EY, PWC, RelateCare and Waterford Chamber Skillnet.
