SFA National Small Business Awards
Good news for a change: event highlights
With Newstalk 106 FM’s breakfast show presenter, Claire Byrne, as host, this year’s SFA National Small Business Awards celebrated the best and brightest in the small firms sector. As Byrne pointed out in her opening comments, there is no getting away from the recession, but the event demonstrated that there are good news stories to be told and the 35 finalists in the room are showing that growth is achievable against the odds. More
Support Needed For Small Enterprise
Speaking to Business & Leadership at the SFA National Small Business Awards, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen offered some reassurances to Ireland's small business community.
High achievers rewarded: winners report
An air of positivity and optimism filled the Mansion House in Dublin yesterday at the SFA National Small Business Awards. The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, promised to support start-ups and small businesses as well as continuing to invest in science, technology and innovation (see interview with Business & Leadership). Connemara Seafoods, with its emphasis on product development, technology and exporting, was the overall winner, and the category winners were: Manufacturing – Ecocem; Services – Surecom; Outstanding Small Business – Home Instead; Best in HR – Kevin Dempsey Distributors; Innovator – Megazyme; and Environmental Sustainability – Java Republic. The winners in the new Emerging New Business section were: Chic Commodities; Print Delicious; ETIC Solutions; Engineering Documentation and Gael Energy.
 | WINNER: Overall award and Food & Drink category Connemara Seafoods, Kilmeena, Westport, Co Mayo. Tel: 098 41000. www.connemaraseafoods.com Coastal company Connemara Seafoods has invested in technology and product development to create a 100pc export-led business. More Connemara Seafoods - Interview with managing director Andy Mulloy |
 | WINNER: Manufacturing Ecocem Materials, F13 Portview House, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Tel: 01 667 0900. www.ecocem.ie Aiming to be carbon neutral by 2012, Ecocem manufactures an environmentally friendly type of cement and is opening a new facility in France this year. More Ecocem - Interview with managing director John Newell |
 | WINNER: Services Surecom NS, Boher Beri, Kilcoran, Cahir, Co Tipperary. Tel: 052 43669. www.surecomns.com With years of experience in the industry, Surecom NS has carved a niche for itself in telecommunications services, winning business with major European players. More Surecom - Interview with managing director Jim Sheehan |
 | WINNER: Outstanding Small Business Home Instead Senior Care, 305 Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Tel: 01 2973490. www.homeinstead.ie Franchise Home Instead Senior Care is keeping older people out of nursing homes and has grown from one pilot office in 2004 to 14 around the country. More Home Instead - Interview with chief executive Ed Murphy |
 | WINNER: Best in HR Kevin Dempsey Distributors, Block O, Ballymount Drive, Walkinstown, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 4568280. www.stylelineblinds.ie; www.prestigious.ie Kevin Dempsey sees his employees as ‘people’, not human resources, providing them with up-skilling, flexible working and open communication. More Kevin Dempsey Distributors - Interview with managing director Kevin Dempsey |
 | WINNER: Innovator Megazyme International, Bray Business Park, Southern Cross Road, Bray, Co Wicklow. Tel: 01 8261220. www.megazyme.com From humble roots, Megazyme has thrived to become a pioneer in the testing of enzymes for industries worldwide. More Megazyme - Interview with managing director Dr Barry McCleary |
 | WINNER: Environmental Sustainability Java Republic, The Roastery, 510 Mitchelstown Road, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15. Tel: 01 880 9300. www.javarepublic.com Having recently built a new premises, Java Republic aims to set world standards in carbon-neutral roasting. More Java Republic - Interview with chief executive David McKernan |
Something new: emerging businesses recognised
In addition to the seven categories in contention for the overall SFA National Small Business Award this year, it was decided start-up companies should have their achievements recognised in a separate new section of the awards. More
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Marketing Age is the definitive ‘voice’ of the marketing industry in Ireland. Aimed at decision makers, marketing directors and industry professionals, it deals in-depth with marketing strategy, innovation and the world of new media.
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