SFA 2017 - National Small Business Awards - SPONSORS - Small Firms Association
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SFA
National
Small
Business
Awards
2017
Small Firms Association, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. TEL: 01 605 1500; EMAIL: info@sfa.ie; WEB: www.sfa.ie #SFAAwards2017
SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNER
CONTENTS
Introduction from SFA director Patricia Callan
INSIGHTS
4
Comment from the chair
Joe Healy, manager HPSU ICT, Enterprise Ireland 5 I am delighted to offer my
congratulations to all of the 2017
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR finalists in the SFA National Small
Companies serving unmet needs in unique ways 6 Business Awards programme. Now
in their thirteenth year, these awards
INSIGHTS celebrate achievement, innovation and
excellence amongst small firms and it
Kieran Marshall, head of AIB Finance & Leasing 8
is these very qualities that are evident in
the companies featured in this special
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS awards supplement.
Adaptable and driven to succeed 9 All of the companies presented
here are from a wide range of business
INSIGHTS sectors, hailing from 13 counties
Tara McCarthy, chief executive, Bord Bia 12 throughout Ireland and employing in
excess of 600 people.
FOOD AND DRINK From reading their success stories
A natural aptitude for grabbing opportunities 13 you will learn what sets them apart
from the mainstream through constant
INSIGHTS innovations and a commitment to
growth. All of the people involved
Cormac Mannion, energy services manager at Energia and Peter Baillie,
MD of Energia Renewables 15 are truly representative of what
entrepreneurship is and I believe are an
inspiration to us all.
MANUFACTURING Given the right environment these their products and services at the
Facilities that move with the times 16 companies will contribute to sustaining National Small Business Showcase,
Ireland’s competitiveness, deliver which was officially opened by Minister
INSIGHTS growth in job numbers throughout the for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary
Padraig Sheerin, head of SME at Three Ireland 18 country and pave the way for many Irish Mitchell O’Connor, and was visited by
companies in new markets. over 1,200 people (see pages 30 and 31).
SERVICES By recognising the best of small In conclusion, I would like to
Putting the customer at the heart of everything 19 business in Ireland the SFA awards thank our sponsors and judges for
programme continues to highlight the their continued support in making the
INSIGHTS importance of small business to our
economy. In our current uncertain
entire awards programme possible.
Our sponsors include AIB, Enterprise
Bernard McCarthy, managing director of DHL Express in Ireland 22
times, it is vitally important that these Ireland, Three Ireland, Bord Bia, the
established indigenous companies Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland,
SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTER OF THE YEAR are supported and that any barriers to DHL, Energia, IE Domain Registry and
Making growth outside of Ireland matter 23 achieving growth are removed. Skillnets.
To realise a vision of Ireland as Led by chair of the judging panel AJ
INSIGHTS the most vibrant small business Noonan of Rhonellen Developments,
David Curtin, chief executive, IE Domain Registry 25 community in the world – supporting our judges also include: Brian O’Kane of
entrepreneurship, valuing small Oaktree Press, Professor Frank Roche,
EMERGING NEW BUSINESS business and rewarding risk takers - our chairman of Dublin Business Innovation
Five small companies with big ideas 26 Government needs to ‘think small first’ Centre, Mairead Cirillo of Environmental
and support these companies in tackling Business Advice, Paula Fitzsimons of
INSIGHTS key challenges in terms of culture and
recognition, education and skills and the
Fitzsimons Consulting, Donal O’Donovan
from the Irish Independent, Dr Barry
Majella Kelleher, head of energy demand management, SEAI 28
business environment. McCleary of Megazyme International,
The businesses profiled here have Ken Germaine of Germaine & Associates
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY availed of a fantastic programme to and Geraldine Lavin of 3rdi IT and
Companies with a particularly ‘green’ ethos 29 date as part of the SFA National Small Business Services.
Business Awards. As well as receiving I wish you all the best of luck at the
SHOWCASE extensive media and PR benefits Gala Final tonight and in the future.
Highlights from the event in February 31 from becoming a finalist, all of these
companies have received a subsidised Best regards,
training package and a strategic Sue O’Neill
Editor: Sorcha Corcoran
management masterclass weekend. SFA chairperson
Design: Robert Armstrong, INM Design Studio, 124-144 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1DN
All of the businesses have showcased
Published by Independent Newspapers Ltd, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
SPONSORS
MEDIA PARTNER
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |3
INTRODUCTION
UPPING OUR GAME
Ireland’s small businesses never cease to amaze in the way they adapt,
diversify and innovate through whatever the global economy throws at
them, writes Patricia Callan, director of the Small Firms Association
T
here are 238,000 businesses in and improving the general business National Small Business Awards come
Ireland, of which 98% are small environment. from a wide variety of backgrounds,
(employing less than 50 people) If together we deliver on this vision, sectors and parts of the country. They
and together they employ half then the effects of the recovery really all clearly demonstrate that with a clear
the private sector workforce. Last year, can be felt by all, as we encourage a business vision, a sense of optimism,
20,000 new entrepreneurs took the new generation of entrepreneurs to passion, drive and perseverance, success Patricia Callan, director, SFA
plunge. This is great news as two-thirds create and sustain more jobs, in a more is possible – despite the challenges that
of all new jobs are created by start-ups regionally balanced way and with a may be faced. They all need support and join us – www.sfa.ie/joinusnow
in their first five years. The importance focus on exporting and innovation. however with advice, knowledge- The SFA National Small Business
of small business to the Irish economy is The finalists in this year’s SFA sharing and networking amongst fellow Awards programme ensures that the
undeniable. small business owners. contribution of our sector is at the
The Small Firms Association (SFA) “The SFA has a vision At the SFA we aim to work with forefront of recognition. All of the
has a vision of Ireland as the most
vibrant small business community in
of Ireland as the most business owners to make them better
in their business. The SFA is Ireland’s
companies on the shortlist are winners,
regardless of the outcome at the Gala
the world: supporting entrepreneurship, vibrant small business leading small firm representative Final tonight. All their stories are
valuing small business and rewarding
risk takers.
community in the organisation, with over 8,500 member
companies. Our mission is to be the
inspiring and epitomise what it means
to be a true entrepreneur. The judges
In order for this vision to be realised, world: supporting trusted partner of small businesses in were impressed by both the quality and
we need Government, educators,
small business owners themselves
entrepreneurship, Ireland, to deliver business-focused
advice and insights to member
standard of the over 500 entrants and
the diversity of businesses represented.
and communities generally to come valuing small business companies, influence government policy
together to tackle high priority issues
we have identified around culture
and rewarding risk to the benefit of small businesses and
connect our members in a thriving
To find out who the winners are and to
view highlights from the Gala Final, log
and recognition, education and skills takers” community. We encourage you to come on to www.sfa.ie/awards
INSIGHTS
AIMING HIGH
There is a lot of positive activity in Ireland’s start-up scene including an increase in companies with the
potential to scale being led by women and more spin-outs coming from third level institutions
T
he climate for start-ups in ecosystem, which want to access new
Ireland is “very sunny and more and innovative technologies. These are
than temperate” making it a best developed by start-ups.
really good time to consider “Fintech is now broadening out to
setting up a business – particularly if ‘insuretech’, with start-ups looking at
it involves solving an unmet need and how artificial intelligence could impact
can scale up quickly, according to Joe on claims data or fraud protection, for
Healy, manager HPSU ICT at Enterprise example.
Ireland. “There is a general movement
The target for funding start-ups towards sectors which haven’t focused
set in Enterprise Ireland’s last three- on technology before being interested in
year strategy to 2016 was 550, but in solutions developed by start-ups which
fact the number supported was 629 in help them to become more efficient and
that period. These were a mixture of either make or save them money.”
high potential start ups (HPSUs) and Enterprise Ireland published its
early-stage projects. HPSUs are those ‘Build Scale, Expand Reach’ strategy for
start-ups with the potential to scale up 2017-2020 in January. This new strategy
to ten jobs and €1m in sales within three aims to increase client company exports
to four years. to €26bn per annum by the end of
“We thought the target was ambitious 2020 with an ambitious target to grow
when we set it in 2013 considering Orla Battersby, manager HPSU Division, Enterprise Ireland, Minister Mary Mitchell the level of exports to over two thirds
where Ireland was at the time. The fact O’Connor, Terence O’Rourke, chairman, Enterprise Ireland, Julie Sinnamon, CEO, outside the UK over the period.
that it was exceeded is a reflection of the Enterprise Ireland and the Enterprise Ireland Start-up Class of 2016 Improving access to finance for start-
economy being stronger than we might ups is a key element of the strategy and
have thought,” says Healy. “Last year 63 of the 229 start-ups we HPSUs, last year the Competitive Start Enterprise Ireland is continuing to work
“The ecosystem has been very supported were female-led. This shows Fund made a specific call to graduates with seed and business angels to avail of
important in nurturing start-ups. that if we focus on a particular area with and in recent years it has also focused new approaches to sourcing finance.
Strong links have been developed the Competitive Start Fund it does make on overseas entrepreneurs. Four new funds were launched
with universities and there are a difference.” “Last year we supported 15 spin-outs recently with Enterprise Ireland
more accelerators and incubators – In an effort to broaden the sources for from third level colleges – the most involvement – there were
infrastructure which perhaps wasn’t as ever in a year. What is good about these announcements by Seroba Lifesciences,
strong three or four years ago and didn’t is that a lot of work has been done to Frontline Ventures, ACT Venture Capital
exist ten years ago.”
There are currently 36 different
Start-ups develop the technology before it has
been turned into a business. Usually
and Suir Valley. These four new funds
combined bring, on their first closings,
incubation/enterprise spaces around
the country, including those on third-
supported by the intellectual property is strong and
difficult to imitate,” notes Healy.
€188m of available new capital to the
market.
level campuses such as Nova UCD and
the Synergy Centre at the Institute
Enterprise When it comes to sectors, about
two thirds of the start-ups Enterprise
“Our new strategy is aimed at
encouraging companies to scale and
of Technology Tallaght. Enterprise
Ireland runs a national entrepreneur
Ireland in 2016 Ireland supports are in the technology
space. Within that certain sub-
diversify and to make sure they are
internationally competitive,” says
development programme for innovative, ✱ 101 new high potential start-ups categories are emerging as well as new Healy. “Unless companies really focus
early-stage start-ups – New Frontiers – (HPSUs) - start-up businesses with business models, says Healy. on competitiveness they won’t be able
on 14 campus incubation centres across the potential to create 10 jobs and “The fact that the Government to accommodate volatility in currency.
the country. This funds 150 companies €1m in sales within three to four put the spotlight on fintech in its Innovation will be a key driver of
every year. years of starting up IFS2020 strategy has really engaged competitive advantage to build scale
Last year, Enterprise Ireland invested ✱ 128 new Competitive Start Fund multinationals and banks in the and expand reach to global markets.”
€32m in Irish start-ups and supported (CSF) projects.
a total of 229 start-up companies, the ✱ Over a quarter (28%) were female-
highest number to date in a single year. led businesses, including 19 new
Investment was provided in the form HPSUs and 44 new CSF investment
of Competitive Start Funds and HPSU approvals – up from a total of 61 in
funding. 2015
Enterprise Ireland has used its ✱ Over half (53%) the start-ups
Competitive Start Fund offering to supported during 2016 were in
target specific areas in recent years regions outside of Dublin
with a view to bringing forward more ✱ Investment in seven new fintech
start-ups with potential to scale. The HPSUs and a further 10 fintech
fund is designed to enable companies to start-ups were supported under a
reach key milestones, such as evaluating dedicated CSF fund
overseas markets and building a ✱ 15 spin-out companies from higher
prototype. education institutions supported
“One area which has been ✱ 33 new start-ups established by
particularly successful has been female overseas entrepreneurs who have
entrepreneurs. In 2011 we recognised moved to Ireland to establish
there was a low level of female founders their businesses, including
in the projects we were supporting so entrepreneurs from Russia, Europe
we created a programme around that,” and the US.
says Healy. Joe Healy, manager HPSU ICT, Enterprise Ireland
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |5
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
A watchful eye
Herdwatch has filled a gap in the market by
developing an easy-to-use app for farmers that saves
time on admin tasks and gives peace of mind
I
n his position of IT manager at Farm company and the app was launched in
Relief Services (FRS) in Co Tipperary February 2014. Within a few months it
five years ago, Fabien Peyaud was had won the Innovation Arena Award
becoming increasingly aware of the for Innovative Software in Agriculture at
weight of paperwork and compliance on the National Ploughing Championships.
farmers and it got him thinking. As of 1 February this year, there
“I have always been interested in were 5,200 farmers using the app, up
solutions to real-world problems and from 2,000 a year earlier. The business
I wondered if I could use my IT skills model is subscription-based – farmers
Bizimply co-founders Mikey Cannon and Gerard Forde to help farmers. I did a bit of research pay €130 a year to use it. There is a free
Noticeable shift
and was gobsmacked to discover that 30-day trial and nine out of ten farmers
93% of farmers in Ireland don’t use any that avail of this trial continue to use
software at all on their farms,” he says. the app.
“Focus groups with local farmers “The main hook for farmers with
told me the reason they weren’t using Herdwatch is how it saves them so much
Recognising that restaurant and retail managers are software was because there was no
suitable solution for them.”
time on paperwork – on average up to
two hours a week. The peace of mind it
often stuck under mountains of paperwork, Bizimply The software for farmers that existed gives farmers in terms of compliance is
at the time was expensive, tied to a PC also really important,” says Peyaud.
has developed a mobile-first solution to save them and required a day or two of training to “For example, when a calf is born, it
time and lower costs use it. Peyaud realised there was a need must be registered within 27 days. The
D
to build something easy to use that was farmer can do this it straightaway using
uring the Celtic Tiger years smaller businesses employing 10 to 50 value for money and, above all, mobile. his phone. Previously, he would have
Gerard Forde and Bono’s people. He pitched the idea for Herdwatch to had to write down the details in the
brother Norman Hewson were “About half of our sales come inbound CEO of FRS Peter Byrne, who gave it his shed and register later using a PC.”
directors of the cafe chain through the website and these visitors full backing, allowing Peyaud to spend New features are continuously being
Nude in Dublin. As they grew the can come from any country,” says Forde. two years researching and developing added to the app, such as the ability for
business from one to five locations, they “We also focus a lot of our sales efforts the app. sheep farmers to record their remedies
struggled to keep track of everything on trade shows. It is great to meet Herdwatch was set up as a separate and a new tillage section for recording
that was happening in the business, potential customers in person first, the spraying of pesticides.
especially when it came to managing especially bigger clients. This year we “Focus groups Currently employing seven people,
their people.
“We became very frustrated with
are making a big push into the UK and
plan to do at least 10 trade shows.” with local farmers Herdwatch launched in the UK last
October having won the 2016 Prince
using old fashioned clock-in machines
for tracking time and attendance,
Bizimply’s founders are focused on
building a global company out of Dublin
told me the reason Philip Award at a livestock event in
Birmingham the previous July.
spreadsheets for rotas and pen and with the goal of being “the best team they weren’t using The plan is to grow globally with the
paper and email for daily issues,” says management and engagement system help of Enterprise Ireland, although this
Forde. for hospitality and retail businesses in software was may take a few years, says Peyaud. “With
“As technology evolved, especially
with apps, we saw an opportunity
the world”.
“We believe that Bizimply is the
because there was 50,000 farmers in Ireland there is still
scope to grow here. The solution was
to build a mobile-first, cloud-based
solution that would allow business
first in a new generation of mobile-
first people and shift management
no suitable solution built to be scalable and adaptable to the
requirements of different markets. But
owners to manage their business on the solutions,” says Forde. “We foresee these for them” we need to walk before we can run.”
go.” solutions becoming as ubiquitous as
Their creation, Bizimply, is an all- accountancy software in the coming
in-one people and shift management years and we plan to be the leading
solution in one easy-to-use, cloud- company in this market.”
based platform. It allows businesses to Currently employing 20 people across
manage employee scheduling, time and its three offices in Dublin, Poland and
attendance, in-store communication France, the plan is to grow the team to
and shift reporting across multiple 30 in the next 12 months.
locations. Bizimply won the ESB Spark of
“We help our customers to Genius Award at The Web Summit in
save time and lower costs, while 2015 and to date has raised €2.5m from
improving employee engagement and several investors including Bono, Jerry
business reporting across the entire Kennelly, Michael Carey, NDRC and
organisation,” explains Forde, who Enterprise Ireland.
founded the company in 2013 with
Hewson and Mikey Cannon.
Since its launch in 2015, Bizimply
“We believe that Bizimply
has attracted customers in 14 countries, is the first in a new
including household names like generation of mobile-
Wagamma, CompuB, TGI Friday’s and
Vodafone. The solution caters for large first people and shift
clients with hundreds of staff down to management solutions” Fabien Peyaud, co-founder, Herdwatch
https://www.bizimply.com/ https://www.herdwatch.ie
6 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Safe and sound
Father and son team Ger and Paul Cummins
have tapped into a need for more engaging
interaction with staff on safety practices with
their innovative solution
W
ith 28 years’ experience in
the manufacturing sector,
Ger Cummins founded
SeaChange in Naas, Co
Kildare in 2005 based on his philosophy Tomas Mrkvica, Brian Scully, Darren Fortune and Joe Bourke of Ventac
Keeping the noise down
that a safety culture needs to be
developed from the ground up in any
organisation.
The company provides interactive
lean management solutions with the
aim of reducing the risk of accidents Demand for noise reduction solutions is on the rise
and claims, and ultimately allowing
clients to get better insurance rates.
due to increased legislation, and Wicklow-based
“We are very simply connecting the Ventac is making sure it’s met
W
safety message with staff through our
proprietary software and portal, which hen Ventac, which started they have to reduce Venta
they can be trained and certified on and life in 1972 as a ventilation the noise of their shortl c is also
is
which we can remotely monitor and business supplying the Irish refrigerator units Smal ted in the
audit,” says Ger’s son Paul Cummins, market, spotted a small but when going into Export l Business
e
SeaChange managing director. growing demand for noise reduction built-up areas.” and Ma r of the Year
“Instead of paying for a paper-based solutions back in the 1990s, it grabbed it The company nufa
risk assessment that just sits on a shelf with both hands. employs 44 people catego cturing
ries
gathering dust, ours is a best practice The move was timely; since then, EU in manufacturing,
system that allows clients to get a return legislation has made noise reduction in engineering and
on their investment.” commercial and industrial vehicles not administration at its
A research study as part of Paul’s just a ‘nice-to-have’ but a necessity. The Wicklow base, and also has
PhD in organisational psychology and onus is now on companies operating several sales offices in mainland Europe.
leadership tied in with the SeaChange in that sector to quieten down their Among its international customers is
concept and after he joined the vehicles, which is where Ventac comes VDL, one of the biggest bus companies
company in 2010 he and Ger designed Paul Cummins, managing director, in. in Europe.
and scoped out the system. SeaChange A one-stop shop for acoustic All its products are manufactured
“My research confirmed that the solutions, Ventac operates Ireland’s only at its Irish plant. As well as selling its
more you engage with staff with lean Europe including multinationals and commercial acoustic laboratory at its products and solutions at home, it
management practices that are visual clients in the retail, hospitality and base in Blessington, Co Wicklow. Here, exports to the Netherlands, the Czech
and easy to understand and the more healthcare sectors. A before-and-after it can develop new materials, measure Republic, Turkey, China and the US.
ownership you provide from the ground analysis of 300 of these sites revealed them and their components, and see Innovation is at the heart of the
up, the better results you get,” he says. reductions in accident rates (50%), how they perform. company, which has never been content
“It is estimated that 80-95% of all frequency of claims (42%) and client The existence of this lab means that, with the status quo. “We’re not selling
workplace accidents are behaviour- insurance premiums (7%). At the same for Irish customers, it is no longer products, rather bespoke, innovative
based. Ticking a box on a form is never time, there was a reported 80% rise in necessary to have systems or products solutions,” says Fortune. “It’s about
going to impact that, which we have staff safety engagement. shipped to the UK or mainland Europe talking to customers, looking ahead and
proven.” Paul says growth in the business for acoustic testing or certification. designing new solutions.”
SeaChange is currently partnered has been “astronomical” since 2010, all Ventac recently invested in new acoustic For example, the company worked
with 600 sites in Ireland and mainland driven by word of mouth. “A couple of cameras at the lab to make it easier to with universities and others to develop
big contracts helped us and proactive show customers precisely where noise is new lightweight acoustic materials for
business owners and retail groups saw escaping. buses and coaches. “The two biggest
the benefits of best practice – especially Managing director Darren Fortune challenges in the business are noise and
“Instead of paying in terms of how the system connects
with staff and is easier to understand
says the noise issue first raised its head
on farms a couple of decades ago, and
fuel efficiency, so we wanted to come up
with a lightweight acoustic solution that
for a paper-based than a safety statement. We haven’t
invested much in sales and marketing
it was then that Ventac started to gear
itself up to switch from just doing
would address both problems,” Fortune
explains.
risk assessment and still have a small sales team.” ventilation to also doing noise control. Over the next few years, Ventac has
that just sits on SeaChange currently employs 18 people
in Naas.
In 2002 the company built its acoustic
lab, in 2014 there was a management
its sights set on making a bigger impact
on the US market, and also possibly
a shelf gathering “We haven’t seen anything like our
system on the market. There are risk
buyout, and now the company deals
purely in acoustics. Fortune has been
eking out a customer base in France and
Poland.
dust, ours is a best assessment solutions, but nothing that there for 11 years.
splits out visual job safety analysis “Noise control is very much a
practice system that and makes it local and specific to an growing market,” he says. “Because of “Because of EU legislation,
allows clients to organisation,” says Paul. EU legislation, for the last couple of for the last couple of
“We are currently developing an app years, it’s been all about reducing noise years, it’s been all about
get a return on their which will take things to the next level.
We also see the future as supporting
in buses and industrial vehicles. For
example, you have trucks going into reducing noise in buses
investment” partner clients around managing risk.” cities at night for 24-hour deliveries, and and industrial vehicles”
http://www.seachange.ie/ http://www.ventac.com
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |7
INSIGHTS
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
The recovery in Ireland’s economy has meant businesses are investing in new equipment and
vehicles again, and this in turn has led to an increase in leasing and asset finance
T
he sharp economic downturn and bank-owned finance companies. to meet the evolving needs of our
in Ireland and across Europe As the economy has recovered new customers, suppliers/distributors and
from 2008 onwards negatively entrants targeting niche segments of the the market in general,” says Marshall.
impacted demand for new market have become a feature. Subsided “We have the largest team of mobile
equipment and vehicles. Businesses finance packages are also being used by asset finance specialists geographically
either chose or were not in a position manufacturers and distributors to try to spread throughout the country backed
to invest in new or replacement attract customers’ attention. up by a strong service-orientated central
equipment. According to the Ipsos MRBI support team.
Things are changing however, as the Financial Services Survey 2016, AIB “Investment in technology is enabling
equipment leasing market has stabilised Finance & Leasing is the market leader more efficient end-to-end processing of
and shown moderate to strong growth in SME asset finance. It has numerous our new business and will enhance the
over the past three years, according to wholesale and retail partnerships service proposition to our customers,
Kieran Marshall, head of AIB Finance & including subsidy schemes across the suppliers and distributors.”
Leasing - which has grown new lending new equipment/machinery landscape. A critical success factor for the
by 107% in this period. “AIB Finance & Leasing has invested growth of the equipment leasing
“Almost 30% of credit applications heavily in technology and product market is the availability of credit to all
relate to asset finance and invoice development to ensure we continue stakeholders. AIB Finance & Leasing
finance. Both are excellent products for
small and medium sized businesses in
that typically the assets act as security
for the loan facility,” he says.
Kieran Marshall, head of AIB Finance
& Leasing
“Almost 30% of credit applications
The asset finance market
encompasses all sectors including plant hire operators. As the industry
relate to asset finance and invoice
agriculture, construction, continues to grow, it will drive demand finance. Both are excellent products for
manufacturing, healthcare and ICT.
“In the agri sector, a good barometer
for machinery finance and AIB Finance
& Leasing is well placed to support this small and medium sized businesses in
of equipment sales is new tractor
registrations. These have grown from
growth,” says Marshall.
The finance providers in the market
that typically the assets act as security
1,500 in 2011 to 1,900 in each of the are a mixture of captives, independents for the loan facility”
subsequent years,” says Marshall.
“We have experienced strong growth has continued to provide availability
and demand for credit to assist in the of credit through its umbrella Backing
purchase of agri equipment. Despite Brave campaign targeted at businesses
agriculture being a cyclical business throughout the country.
that is experiencing price volatility, it Its offering comprises of competitive
is resilient, has performed well and the fixed and variable rate options to assist
outlook is positive in the medium to appropriate cashflow management,
long term.” typically up to five-year terms where the
Looking at other sectors, Marshall useful life of the asset supports same,
expects the growth in demand for new/ and 100% finance.
used plant and equipment to continue. “We support and engage with the
“While construction activities have leadership of the industry to further
increased strongly over the last 18 develop and educate the market, for
months it would appear that it is still example, the Farm Tractor & Machinery
some way off peaking,” he says. Trade Association, Society of Irish
The Construction Industry Motor Industry, Irish Road Hauliers
Federation has been explicit in Association and Irish Hotel Federation,”
highlighting the deficit in housing and says Marshall.
infrastructure as the economy continues In terms of delivering added value to
to recover. Indeed it points out that the customers, AIB Finance & Leasing can
construction sector is currently half the offer MyBusinessToolkit. Introduced
size required for a developed economy. by AIB in partnership with BCSG,
The growth to date has been driven this is a secure set of business apps
by both public- and private-led projects carefully selected to help with business
across a wide range of construction planning, invoicing, data security,
assets. The Government’s €27bn capital web hosting and finances (See www.
investment plan over the next six years mybusinesstoolkit.ie).
will greatly assist development of this Customers can make asset finance
sector. applications through AIB branches,
“The demand has come directly business centres; telephone banking,
from large construction companies, through its mobile sales teams or the
through smaller sub-contractors and asset supplier.
8 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS
An extending range
Having started with a modular structure that can
be erected for event management, Big Red Barn has
branched out into other structures such as homes
and is eyeing the US market
H
is experience as venue opportunity to prototype as we could
operations manager at the now do everything ourselves,” he says.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic “All of our structures are made
Park during London 2012 was from steel frames and cladded with a
Donal Byrne’s inspiration for a range of pressure-treated Scandinavian pine
modular structures that are now used from sustainable forests.”
for everything from wedding venues to The company can now manufacture
living spaces. any kind of modular building, according Graham and Cassandra Kenny, founders of Bike Park Ireland
Onwards and upwards
“We had over 1,200 marquees and to Byrne. In recent weeks, for example,
they broke my heart,” he explains. it launched a fully insulated, pre-wired
“Every day, my phone was hopping in home with A+ double glazed windows
relation to various problems, weather and doors. Supplied in 4.8 metre panels
damage being the biggest of them.” that slot together and are delivered
When Byrne returned to Co Mayo on a 45ft trailer, the house can be put The novel experience of an uplift service at family-run
in 2013 he designed his first ‘big red
barn’ and set up a company of the same
together in a few hours.
business Bike Park Ireland in Co Tipperary has helped
name a year later to focus on event to drive its growing popularity
“All of our
R
management.
The barn’s selling points include its
portability and the fact that it can be structures are made iding the wave of mountain
biking’s growing popularity in
The focus at the park has been
to appeal to as wide an audience as
assembled and taken down again in a
matter of hours.
from steel frames Ireland, Graham Kenny and
his family opened Bike Park
possible. “It’s a very exciting sport but
it’s not just for extreme bikers. We also
In 2014, Byrne won the title of Mayo’s and cladded with Ireland at their hilly 400-acre farm in wanted to cater for families or people
Best Young Entrepreneur. The prize Co Tipperary in 2014. who just want to meander through the
money was used to build the ‘little white a pressure-treated The park at Fairymount Farm now woods,” says Kenny.
chapel’, which is aimed at the weddings
market and can accommodate up to 100
Scandinavian pine offers eight bike trails, as well as –
crucially – an uplift service that delivers
The park has built up a following
from all over the country, particularly
people.
Following an appearance on RTÉ’s
from sustainable customers and their bikes back to the
top after each run.
Dublin and Northern Ireland, and last
year had 13,000 visitors. “We’re only
Dragon’s Den in 2014, the company saw forests” Branching out is nothing new for tipping the iceberg. We’re working to
a spike in its corporate business and the family, according to Kenny. “We’ve 30% capacity. We’ve put in two brand
started working with companies like Prices for the homes, which are always been thinking outside the box new trails this year and there’s scope
Lidl, as well as renting out its structures constructed to order, range from and moving away from conventional for another four or five more,” Kenny
at major events and music festivals €12,000 to €30,000 depending on the farming. My parents, John and Linda, explains.
around Ireland. specification. The company is in the started diversifying about 25 years ago “As more people arrive, we just need
A grant from the Local Enterprise process of getting the CE Mark and with self-catering houses and walks and to buy more army trucks. And that is
Office in Co Mayo allowed Byrne to ISO 9000 and, if successful, plans to trails around the farm.” our unique selling point: it’s what many
start manufacturing in Ballyhaunis. tender for local authority home-building They stumbled across mountain people come here for – the fun of getting
“That gave us great control and better contracts. biking in 2012 when local man Gerry the lift up in the army truck.”
A prototype for temporary buildings Grimes asked if they would consider Another attraction is the fact that
to be used during the construction of developing a couple of trails on the visitors can rent high-end bikes – which
a new nuclear power plant Britain has farm. cost up to €3,500 each – for the day. “We
also been developed. “The plant is on “He told us people would pay to get want everyone to have the experience
about 400 acres and they need their a lift back up each time. With certain and be able to have the ‘wow’ factor,”
construction buildings to be modular. types of trail you need technical bikes says Kenny.
They’re happy with the prototype and and they’re quite heavy.” The park has recently benefited from
we’ve just submitted our tender price,” Grimes developed a trail and people a €100,000 investment in showers and
Byrne explains. started arriving and paying €20 for the changing facilities, as well as the two
The UK market accounts for an uplift service. Kenny found out that additional trails. Other facilities on site
increasing proportion of the company’s bike trails are big business in the UK include the Mucky Duck cafe, which is
business. A partnership set up there and Europe. In France, for example, run by Kenny’s wife Cassandra.
last year has already supplied events numerous trails have been developed Prices start at €10 per adult for park
like Top Gear and Reading Festival. in ski resorts to pick up the slack in the entry and €30 for a half day of the
And Byrne’s sights are now on the US summer months. uplift service. “Everything is reasonably
market. “We feel we have a good fit for With backing from the Leader priced. We want people to be able to
the franchise profile in America,” he programme, the Kennys decided to come back on a regular basis,” notes
says. develop six graded trails from beginner Kenny.
Big Red Barn currently employs to expert level. Instead of the chair lifts
six full-time staff and Byrne hopes to used in France, two army trucks were “That is our unique selling
double that in the next year. He says the brought in to deal with the hilly terrain. point: it’s what many
business has been growing at a rate of “Every 10 or 15 minutes the trucks
between 350% and 500% a year so far. go up and down. We take the hassle out
people come here for – the
Donal Byrne, director, Big Red Barn. Photo “And all projections and our business of the climbing up and our visitors just fun of getting the lift up in
courtesy of The Irish Farmers Journal plan have gone exactly as planned.” enjoy the ride down.” the army truck”
http://bigredbarn.ie/ http://www.bikeparkireland.ie/
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |9
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS
A handle on The right constituents
health and safety
A specialist in mass spectrometry, EireChrom
is upping the ante in terms of its R&D focus
having moved into the Questum Innovation
Centre in Clonmel
T
Health and safety he winner of last year’s and an applications laboratory as well
consultancy and Outstanding Small Business
Award in the SFA National
as plenty of room to expand.
And expansion is very much on the
recruitment has turned Small Business Awards, agenda in 2017. “We have really scaled
EireChrom, is continuing to rack up its up after winning a number of awards
out to be a successful achievements in 2017. last year,” says Moloney. In addition to
combination for Coyle With a strong background in the
chemical analysis and life sciences
the SFA award, achievements during
2016 included winning Young Leader of
Group industry, PJ Moloney founded the the Year at the Irish Laboratory Awards,
A
company in 2013 to plug a gap in the and design and agri sustainability
dding a recruitment service market for mass spectrometry. accolades at the National Ploughing
to its health and safety This is an advanced separations Championships.
consultancy business has technique used to find a chemical Over the next few months, a
set Coyle Group on a strong compound’s true fingerprint by significant step-up in the company’s
upward trajectory and resulted in a breaking it down to its constituent parts journey will be the commencement of
growing client list that includes Vestas, for quantitative and qualitative analysis. its work with one of Ireland’s leading
Siemens, Alstom, Sisk Group and BAM. The technique has applications research centres in clinical sciences
Based in Blanchardstown in Dublin, in everything from clinical research under Science Foundation Ireland’s hub
the company was founded in 2011 by to drug development and food and and spoke model.
Gavin Coyle, who has been involved in beverage testing to forensic toxicology. “We are bringing PhD candidates
health and safety for over 20 years. In “I could see the industry was moving into the business and very much looking
addition to hands-on experience gained Gavin Coyle, founder and CEO, Coyle Group towards higher levels of sensitivity, at Horizon 2020. We will be really
in the construction sector, he also has better detection levels and to mass emphasising our tagline – ‘innovative
a number of qualifications in the area, that turned out to be 20 health and spectrometry,” says Moloney. “I also saw scientific solution providers’,” says
including an MBS in safety, health safety professionals all around Ireland, that some multinationals were winning Moloney.
and welfare at work from Dublin City working on high voltage and medium contracts based on price and maybe “We are a really focused R&D
University. voltage projects.” global agreements they had in place, company that has a supply element to
He had set up a health and safety The company also has a contract but lacked the hands-on and technical chemical analysis and the life sciences
consultancy and training partnership with Energia for all of its wind farms, its knowledge in Ireland.” industry in terms of high-end analytical
in 2006 before founding Coyle Group. power station at Huntstown and all of Moloney describes his company equipment. We facilitate the best
“I had a vision for joining safety its retail and office premises. as being the ‘go-to’ provider of mass training on the island of Ireland and
consultancy and recruitment together,” And it has a global agreement with spectrometry services in Ireland. As have core research that marries all of
he explains. Vestas, which designs, manufactures well as offering a range of services and this together.”
Companies began approaching and installs an average of 20,000 products – from leading global suppliers At the moment, the company employs
Coyle seeking recommendations for wind turbines each year. “At any stage, such as SCIEX and Finesse – it also five full-time staff and a number of
health and safety professionals because they can ask us for health and safety delivers research and development interns but growth is also on the cards
he knew the industry so well. “I was professionals for their projects. Right (R&D), consultancy and training. in this regard. “I would hope that we
outsourcing these people and didn’t now, we have people in Denmark, Clients include the Department of will shortly be announcing another
really realise that I was actually falling Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland and Agriculture, Royal Victoria Hospital in 20 to 50 jobs in our business,” says
into the recruitment game. So I made it UK with that company alone.” Belfast, Mallincrodt, Janssen, Bristol Moloney.
more defined as a model.” This year, Coyle Group’s turnover will Myers Squibb and AbbVie.
Now, at any given time, the company be around €4m. The aim is to increase Although set up in Cork, EireChrom “We are bringing PhD
has up to 100 people contracting that to between €5.5m and €6m in the recently moved into the Questum candidates into the
globally. The focus is on specific sectors, next tax year. Innovation Centre in Clonmel, Co
such as power generation, wind energy, According to Coyle, customers Tipperary. There, its new facilities
business and very much
construction and utilities, and oil and that started out using its recruitment include two 25-seater training rooms looking at Horizon 2020”
gas. services are now also looking for
The company only works in high consultancy, and vice versa. “Our
risk areas. “Anything that’s large scale, plan is to even out the percentage
fast track and in a harsh and angry of recruitment and consultancy
environment, that’s what we do. We throughout our existing client base and
don’t tend to stick with the corner shop to continue to grow our business based
or SME. They’re not high risk enough to on where our customer is going, not
warrant our service,” Coyle explains. where we would like to go.”
One of Coyle Group’s biggest
contracts is with ESB Networks,
which needed to improve its safety
“Anything that’s
performance after two employee large scale, fast
fatalities within two years.
“We needed to put measures in track and in a
place immediately on this. I wrote up a
strategy and that was the consultancy
harsh and angry
side of the business,” Coyle explains.
“On the recruitment side, we
environment, that’s
started resourcing the strategy and what we do” PJ Moloney, CEO, EireChrom
http://www.coyle-group.com/ https://www.eirechrom.ie/
10 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDSOUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS
Tastes like more
The decision by Kevin Mahon and his wife Jules
to start a purely online food and drink magazine
has really borne fruit in terms of international
recognition and visitor numbers
P
itching itself very much at had these reader offers for years, but
the luxury end of the market, we’ve tried to go after really tempting
digital food and drink magazine offers that people can’t turn down.”
TheTaste.ie sees itself as a According to Mahon, the company
champion of Irish restaurants, hotels has generated €3m for the hospitality
and produce. market to date through these offers.
Since setting up in October 2014, the Another revenue stream is through
magazine has built up an audience of The Taste’s own special events, such
Co-founders of Sweetspot Sourcing Susan Dempsey and Fiona Craul 2.25 million unique readers, as well as as a champagne dinner held in the
A sweet deal
over 325,000 registered members. Shelbourne Hotel during February,
Keith Mahon, who set up the venture which was €100 a head for the 100
with his wife Jules, had previously been tickets available.
managing director for online in the The magazine consciously operates
Irish Times before taking voluntary without ads. “The credibility of the
Susan Dempsey and Fiona Craul have pooled their redundancy. The initial plan was to start magazine is of the utmost,” says Mahon.
talents and expertise in Asia to drive the growth of a print magazine, but the pair decided
it would be more prudent to go online
“Also, everything is designed to be
understated with a black and white
their product sourcing business only. logo and a light grey background so
M
Having started out in their own the images pop off the page and we can
aking good use of their two punnets of berries. “That flew off kitchen, they are now based in a proper showcase the best of Ireland.”
respective connections and the shelves,” says Dempsey. office in Drumcondra in Dublin, Last year, The Taste was shortlisted
experience in manufacturing, Sweetspot Sourcing has particular together with a team of six employees. and subsequently named the winner of
buying directly from factories expertise in Asia, but also works with Six freelance writers also contribute to The Gourmand award for Best Digital
and sales, Susan Dempsey and Fiona factories in Europe. “We have a portfolio the publication. Food Magazine in the World. It was a
Craul established Sweetspot Sourcing in of suppliers and factories we use and The idea was to offer a luxury turning point, says Mahon. “We saw
2012 to source unique products for retail it very much depends on the type of magazine that would identify the the traffic shoot up from countries that
and promotional purposes. product that’s needed and also the lead hidden food and travel gems across we didn’t think we’d ever have a reader
The company currently employs six time,” says Dempsey. “Our advantage Ireland. The core of the business is base in.”
people and has a base in China as well in Asia is that it’s difficult to source to support the hospitality industry, Since then, invitations to do reviews
as its head office in Naas, Co Kildare. products there – not everybody can says Mahon. As well as hotels and overseas have started coming in. “It’s
It works with brands and retailers to do it. But it’s something we’re very restaurants, this can include everything started to get real international appeal.
create bespoke products with a high comfortable with.” from producers to mixologists and wine We plan to cement where we are in
perceived value by providing customers Over the past year, Sweetspot specialists. “The name lends itself to Ireland and make sure it’s working and
with direct access to its worldwide Sourcing has taken on an office manager pursuing different avenues.” possibly hire a few more people.
network of suppliers and factories. in Naas and a second employee in its Rather than just being a guide that’s “Then we are going to look at a more
“Our full solution is from design China office, which opened in Fuijian added to on an ongoing basis, The Taste international venture. The appetite for
all the way through to delivery,” says in 2013. has regular editions. “We plan on a Irish food and produce and even the
Dempsey. “We can help our customers Another significant step has been monthly basis as a magazine – looking style of food we’re making in Ireland is
from the concept right through to the the company’s entry into the Northern at what’s going to be on the home page huge.”
product arriving on their desk. We’d like Ireland market. During 2016 it received and the features we’re going to do.”
to think we make the whole process as funding from InterTradeIreland and The publication makes money “We partner with food
easy as possible for our customers.” also got onto its Elevate programme, through commission on special offers
which is aimed at small businesses for readers. “We partner with food brands, restaurant
“We can help our trying to identify cross-border markets brands, restaurant brands and hotels brands and hotels and
and customers. and we try to come up with unique
customers from the “As part of that, you get a consultant reader offers,” Mahon explains.
try to come up with
concept right through who does market research, sales calls “Newspapers and magazines have unique reader offers”
and meetings, and that has worked
to the product arriving extremely well for us,” says Dempsey.
on their desk” The company went on to apply
for IntertradeIreland’s Acumen
Sweetspot Sourcing’s current client programme, which provides more
list includes Lidl, Aldi, Green Isle Foods, funding and support. “We now pretty
Keelings, Flahavan’s, Molson Coors and much have a part-time consultant
Kerry Group. Since the company started working for us in the North. We also
up, sales have been increasing by an have a customer base and a really strong
average of between 20% and 30% each pipeline there.”
year. Over the coming year, Sweetspot
Many of the products being sourced Sourcing’s focus will be on trying to
are branded promotional goods – expand in Northern Ireland and looking
everything from sporting merchandise at the wider UK market, where it is
to supermarket on-pack offers. A currently conducting market research.
recent example was a branded Keelings “We’re very excited about entering into
lunchbox, which was on offer in this new market and the opportunities
supermarkets to customers who bought that are there,” says Dempsey. Jules and Keith Mahon, founders of The Taste with Sue O’Neill, chairperson, SFA (centre)
http://sweetspot.ie/ www.thetaste.ie
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS | 11INSIGHTS
IN TUNE WITH TRENDS
Getting to grips with consumer trends and market insights is vital for any small
food and drink business that wants to do well at home or abroad
T
he support of small food and creating a culture of innovation which is McCarthy.
drink businesses has long been insight-led,” says McCarthy. Since the Brexit vote, Bord Bia has
an important part of Bord Bia’s “It’s all about having a product that been putting extra effort into helping
work but in recent months is not just interesting, but relevant. We small businesses to look at what
momentum in this area has been want to help companies to establish markets could be relevant for them
building in response to new challenges whether there is a market for their outside the UK – for example by taking
and opportunities in the marketplace. product and really see where they can companies to the Biofach trade fair in
At Bord Bia’s recent Small Business add value.” Germany, which focuses on organic
Open Day in Enfield, Co Meath, it One of the biggest consumer trends food, as well as getting them to free-
revealed that the number of small food small businesses need to be on top from private label trade shows and the
and drink businesses it works with has of is the drive towards health and Gulfood event currently happening in
grown by 42% to 700 in just under four convenience. Within that there are a the Dubai World Trade Centre.
years. number of sub-trends, notes McCarthy. This is not to say that the home
Estimating the small food and drink “Free-from diets, simple and natural market has become less important for
business sector to be worth €400m, ingredients and the authenticity of small food and drink businesses. A new
Bord Bia expects around 200 companies the product are all more important Bord Bia study has found that Irish
to be approved for grants and marketing now among consumers. These features consumers buy local food products at
assistance totalling €1.2m this year. fit very well with the small business least once a week, with one in three
“The recession attracted many more community. saying they’re purchasing more local
entrepreneurs into the food and drink “You can see this for example in craft food today than they did 12 months ago.
sector. We recognised there was a beers. Consumers are moving away from A lot of Bord Bia programmes are
greater need for consumer and market mass production to having a unique focused on helping companies to get
insights to help small companies to experience with batch brews. A lot of that crucial first listing in the Irish
make the right decisions,” says newly early-stage companies in the alcohol market, including the Food Academy
appointed chief executive of Bord Bia sector are gaining traction in export Tara McCarthy, chief executive, Bord Bia in partnership with Local Enterprise
Tara McCarthy. Offices and SuperValu and the Taste
“Brexit has brought new challenges, Buds programme with Tesco.
especially currency uncertainty, so we
have been looking at our toolkit to make
“We recognised there was a greater “Our partnerships with commercial
organisations help small producers
sure we stay on top of our game and need for consumer and market insights to test their ideas and understand
relevant with all of our programmes and
online supports.” to help small companies to make the the unwritten rules of getting on
supermarket shelves and into the
With this in mind, Bord Bia launched
a new integrated, state-of-the-art
right decisions” food service market in Ireland. These
practical supports become part of the
consumer research and market insight everyday running of their business,”
centre called The Thinking House last markets and growing quickly.” talking about the origin of the beans McCarthy explains.
September – building on its existing In other categories, there is a lot of and taste profiles, while in the baked “Our supports to small food and
online resource centre for small food reinvention going on in response to the goods category small producers are drink businesses are very broad and
businesses Vantage. consumer appetite for authenticity and using lots of different wheat and oat wide ranging. Normally such companies
“The Thinking House is a unique uniqueness of experience, McCarthy types.” will need to build a home market before
support to the food industry aimed at observes. “Coffee and tea businesses are they can export.”
Market diversification
The UK has generally tended to be the
first port of call for Irish food and drink
businesses once they have achieved Origin Green
growth
success at home, but the uncertainty
around Brexit is calling for a shift in
thinking.
In 2016, Irish food and drink exports Last year, 98 Irish companies became
exceeded €11bn for the first time, fully verified members of Origin Green,
representing 40% growth since 2010. Bord Bia’s sustainability programme,
Trade with the UK dropped by 8% last more than doubling the performance
year, but this was offset by increased of any other year.
exports to international and emerging This brings the total number of fully
markets such as North America, verified Origin Green members to 220.
China and the rest of Asia. Meanwhile, A further 310 companies are currently
continental European markets also preparing, or have submitted plans for
recovered, rising 3% to reach €3.53bn. verification.
“With its similar eating profile and “All of the small food companies
cultural values, the UK will continue to that will be exhibiting at Bloom next
be an important market for Irish agri- June are on the Origin Green journey.
food products. Brexit doesn’t mean it is It is a win-win for companies as they
closing down for small Irish businesses, know they are doing the right thing but
just that they need to place more also it makes sense commercially,”
Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia, Claire Dalton, Dungarvan Brewing and Loretto Kiernan, Foods emphasis on currency challenges and says McCarthy.
of Athenry build this into their robustness,” says
12 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDSYou can also read
