Business
Expanding Aerogen is the ‘People’s Choice’ for respiratory care excellence

For the second time in three years, Galway-based Aerogen, the Irish global leader in aerosol drug delivery, has received the prestigious 2015 Zenith Award for respiratory care excellence from the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) at the annual AARC Congress in Tampa, Florida.
Widely recognized as the “People’s Choice” award of the respiratory care profession, the Zenith Award was voted on by over 52,000 respiratory therapists and allied health practitioners.
Aerogen was one of just six companies chosen from more than 400 eligible suppliers to receive the award, which was conferred in recognition of the impact of its breakthrough vibrating mesh technology on the respiratory care profession, as well as its commitment to service excellence and truth in advertising.
The award comes as Aerogen, which employs over 100 people in Ireland, reported 2015 business growth of 30% and filled 17 new full-time positions in the State.
On the back of two new product launches in 2015 the company plans further expansion of its Irish operations next year to reinforce its market leadership in acute care aerosol drug delivery, with similar growth in job numbers anticipated.
New roles will be created across company functions in areas such as Design, Marketing, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, reinforcing Aerogen’s commitment to innovation and excellence in respiratory care.
Aerogen’s patented palladium vibrating mesh technology lies at the heart of its category-leading aerosol drug delivery systems, which are used by over 80% of the hospitals in Ireland and over 1000 hospitals in the US to deliver aerosol medication in the acute care setting.
This proprietary technology turns liquid medication into a fine particle mist, gently and effectively delivering drugs to the lungs of critically ill patients.
Innovative products such as the Aerogen Solo offer improved patient care and less drug wastage, while also significantly reducing patient treatment times, length of stay and related hospital care costs.
“Aerogen strives for excellence in everything we do. We work hand in hand with respiratory care professionals at all levels and I wish to thank them not only for this award, but for their continued support to deliver the best possible patient care,” said Aerogen CEO John Power.
Founded in 1997, Aerogen was first to market with a palladium vibrating mesh nebuliser for the acute care setting and has become the standard of care.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune
New President for Local Ireland

The new President of Local Ireland, the association representing local news publishers around the country, is Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan.
Mr Linehan takes over the presidency from Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune. His appointment was confirmed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Local Ireland at Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar, Westmeath.
Mr Linehan, who has served as Vice President of the organisation for the last two years, said: “The coming years are a very important time for local publishers with many important issues to be addressed, including the implementation of the Future of Media Commission recommendations, defamation reform, the role and support for local publishers in public service reporting and helping publishers develop commercial digital offerings.”
Speaking at the AGM, Mr McGuire acknowledged the work done by the Executive in the past two years under the direction of Executive Director, Bob Hughes, on several projects related to the publishing industry but most especially the successful conclusion of the long-running campaign for the abolition of VAT on newspapers.
He also wished Mr Linehan the very best in his new role as President of the association for the next two years.
Mr Hughes thanked Mr McGuire for his leadership and support during his term of office and said he looked forward to working with Mr Linehan on the key policy priorities for the association, including Government supports, Government advertising, fair remuneration for content from the tech platforms and the reform of the legislation for defamation.
Local Ireland members also elected Seán Mahon, Managing Director of the Southern Star, as Vice President for the next two years.
Connacht Tribune
Employers’ group hears of key challenges facing businesses in the region

The shortage of affordable housing is the single biggest impediment in attracting and retaining workers in the West, according to business group Ibec.
At a ‘Regional Insights Series’ meeting in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last week, employers were told that capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the region.
Ibec Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said: “There must be greater focus by government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
“Ibec’s vision for the West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location. An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” said Ms Leahy.
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the West are:
- Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges
- Transitioning towards a new growth model with Net Zero energy powered by Atlantic offshore wind resources
- Adapting businesses to the new economic realities
- Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives
- Investment in people and skills
- Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation
- Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth
Connacht Tribune
Survey finds one in five retailers in Galway want to go fully cashless

One in five Galway businesses want to go fully cashless, as the move towards card payments and tapping continues unabated post-Covid.
In all, 22% of Galway businesses would like to be fully cashless, according to a survey carried out by BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA), a provider of payment technology solutions, which asked Irish businesses about the current payment landscape as well as business confidence and concerns.
Over one-third (36%) of Galway businesses were unaware there is no contactless limit on mobile wallets – just below the national average – while 54% believe the increase in card over cash transactions has helped them run their business.
Six out of ten Galway businesses expect to grow this year despite the cost-of-living crisis and running costs dominating as key concerns; 62% believe their business will grow over the next twelve months despite global economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly cost-of-living increases and running costs were the main concerns the majority of businesses had.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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