Innovation and a strong international presence combined to win Dr Peter Fitzgerald, managing director of Randox Laboratories, this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awar, writes Barry O'Halloran.

Mr Fitzgerald was named overall winner of the competition, supported by The Irish Times and RTÉ, at a special ceremony in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, attended by more than 500 people last night.

He and his company emerged at the head of a competition that attracted more than 140 initial entries, a figure that was whittled down to 24 finalists in three categories - International Entrepreneur, Industrial Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur.

A panel of independent judges, chaired by former winner Mr Denis O'Brien, chose Dr Fitzgerald from the 24 finalists, while acknowledging that the competition as a whole was close run. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, presented Dr Fitzgerald, with his award last night.

He was chosen from among the three category winners. Dr Fitzgerald won the international category for the company that he founded in 1982.

Randox Laboratories Ltd is based in Crumlin, Co Antrim, where it employs 452 people. On top of this, it has 120 staff in 24 countries around the world.

It specialises in the development and supply of medical and veterinary diagnostic products. Its customers number 17,000 hospitals and clinical laboratories in 130 different countries.

Randox Laboratories is the world leader in the field of protein biochip technology. This involves putting a number of tests onto a microchip, allowing hospitals and laboratories to carry out multiple tests at once.

The company has topped off its achievement in this field by building the world's first protein biochip manufacturing facility at its Co Antrim base. Randox spent 11 years and approximately €90 million developing the technology.

It brought the new products to market in the final quarter of 2003 and already 12 high-profile hospitals and laboratories are using it.

After he received his award last night, Dr Fitzgerald said he was very surprised. "I thought a lot of the companies were very good, very worthy companies," he said.

He said that Randox's prospects for growth were very good. "We're a world leader in protein biochips and we've spent €90 million developing them. We've developed a whole range of them plus a machine which improves medical diagnosis," he said. "We have about 40 patents and many different innovations. We believe we're only really starting."

Mr Enda Kelly, partner, Ernst & Young, said the judges chose Dr Fitzgerald because he displayed characteristics key to a successful business leader. "He won this award because he demonstrates all the qualities Ernst & Young identifies as the hallmarks of an entrepreneur - vision, creativity and expansion," he said.

"His influence on Randox Laboratories is reflected in its creativity in biochip production and its expansion around the world."

Mr Peter Conlon, chairman and chief executive officer of Xsil Ltd, won the industrial category. Xsil is based in Dublin, but has an international presence through offices in the US, Japan and Taiwan, as well as customer service locations in Singapore and Korea.

Xsil develops and manufactures laser micro-machining systems for the semiconductor, consumer electronics and bio-medical sectors. Its customers include almost all of the world's high-volume semiconductor manufacturers, specifically those involved in smart cards, mobile communications and consumer electronics. Semiconductors are computer chips that power a range of electronic and high-tech equipment.

The company employs 140 people. It is a recognised world leader in the field of laser micro- machining techniques, a position it has achieved after just four years in business.

Welcoming the award, Mr Conlon said he felt it was a great achievement for a young company. He said the award belonged to the people working in the company. "We have some of the best talent in the world," he said.

Mr Patrick O'Callaghan of Delta Off-Site Solutions scooped the emerging entrepreneur category. Established just two years ago, Delta Homes produces pre-assembled bathroom and kitchen pods and modular building extensions. A key feature of this business is that it replaces imports from Scandinavia, Italy and Britain. The company has also patented its own "thin floor" product.

Macroom, Co Cork-based Delta employs 75 people and expects this to quadruple over the next few years. Clients include well-known names in the Irish construction industry, such as PJ Hegarty, O'Flynn's Construction, John Paul and PJ Walls.

Mr O'Callaghan said the award was due to the efforts of the company's workers. Delta is already in talks about the possibility of licensing its own patented products to the British and other markets, while it was also looking at export markets.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) won a new category, Entrepreneurial Organisation. Prof Kevin O'Malley accepted the award on behalf of the RSCI. "I am flattered by this recognition, and I am very proud of the RSCI," he said. "I do believe that we have grasped the opportunities that have presented themselves."

Overall winner: Dr Peter Fitzgerald, Randox Laboratories

Randox Laboratories is based in Crumlin, Co Antrim, and specialises in the supply of medical and veterinarian diagnostic products.

Industry Entrepreneur of the Year: Dr Peter Conlon, Xsil Ltd

Dublin-based Xsil manufactures micro-machining systems for the semiconductor, opto-electronic and bio-medical industries.

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Mr Patrick O'Callaghan, Delta Homes.