A male acquaintance who is self-employed says women don’t value their own time in business.

The Shannon-based engineer Mincon Group that provides rock drilling goods yesterday said the downturn of the mining industry amid the world commodities price slump had hit profits and that the outlook “remains challenging”.

Employees of Shannon-based engineering equipment maker Mincon are set to be awarded around €1,000 per year of service as part of a €1.2m employee recognition payment plan.

The Irish Stock Exchange has today welcomed Mincon Group to the exchange’s Enterprise Securities Market.