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SFA
National
Small
Business
Awards
2020
Small Firms Association, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin2. Tel: 016051500; Email: info@sfa.ie; Web: www.sfa.ie #SFAAwards2020
SPONSORS PARTNERS
CONTENTS
Introduction from Sven Spollen-Behrens, SFA director 4
INSIGHTS
Gillian Willis, small business manager, Bord Bia 5
FOOD AND DRINK
Innovation, quality service and local ingredients 6
INSIGHTS
Geraldine Larkin, chief executive, NSAI 8
MANUFACTURING
New product development and ingenuity 9
INSIGHTS
Regina Moran, business director, Vodafone 11
SERVICES
A relentless desire to put the customer first
INSIGHTS
12
Comment from the chair
Terry Spence, employee engagement expert at One4all Rewards 15 I am delighted to offer my The businesses profiled here have
congratulations to all the 2020 finalists availed of a fantastic programme to
in the SFA National Small Business date as part of the SFA National Small
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS Awards programme. Now in their Business Awards. As well as receiving
Finding niches in a crowded market 16 sixteenth year, these awards celebrate extensive media and PR benefits
achievement, innovation and excellence from becoming a finalist, all of these
INSIGHTS amongst small firms and it is these companies have received a subsidised
Patrick Farrell, retail banking director, Permanent TSB 18 very qualities that are evident in the training package and a strategic
companies featured in this special management masterclass weekend.
awards supplement. They have also showcased their
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR All the companies presented here products and services in the Awards
Unique offerings responding to market trends 22 are among the best in Irish small Village at the SFA Business Connect
businesses. Each employing fewer than event (see page 34).
INSIGHTS 50 people, they represent a wide range In conclusion, I would like to thank our
Eoghan Hanrahan, regional director for Dublin, Enterprise Ireland 22 of business sectors, right throughout sponsors and judges for their continued
Ireland. From reading their success support in making the entire awards
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR stories you will no doubt be inspired
by their drive, constant innovation and
programme possible. Our sponsors
are BordBia, Permanent TSB, One4All,
Internationalising from a small base 23
commitment to growth. Vodafone, Enterprise Ireland, IE Domain
The people involved here are truly Registry, DeCare, SBCI, NSAI and our
INSIGHTS representative of the diversity of management training partner is Skillnet
Nick Ashmore, chief executive, SBCI 25 entrepreneurship in Ireland, from new Ireland.
high-tech companies to established and Our very hardworking judges include:
SUSTAINABILITY traditional family-run businesses. Given
the right support and environment, these
Mairead Cirillo of Environmental
Business Advice; Tom Cooney of TU
Keeping the environment in mind 26
companies will play a significant part in Dublin; Donal O’Donovan from the Irish
driving growth in Ireland’s indigenous Independent; Brian O’Kane of Oaktree
INSIGHTS sector. Press; Professor Frank Roche, chairman
Maureen Walsh, managing director, DeCare Dental Insurance Ireland 28 As we face into uncertainty and of Dublin Business Innovation Centre;
unknown challenges it is encouraging Tara Lilly-White Torpey, EY Ireland,
WORKPLACE WELLBEING to see such innovation in our small
businesses. It will be so important
Geraldine Lavin, 3rdi and Ken Germaine,
Germaine Business Planning.
Making employee health and wellbeing a priority 29
to harness the energy, agility and I wish all the finalist companies the
determination of the businesses we best of luck tonight at the Gala Final and
INSIGHTS read about in this supplement and in the future.
David Curtin, chief executive, IE Domain Registry 31 support them by creating a business
environment that values small business,
EMERGING NEW BUSINESS supports entrepreneurship and rewards Graham Byrne
Five small businesses with great ideas 32 risk takers. SFA chairman
EDITOR: Sorcha Corcoran | DESIGN: Robert Armstrong, INM Design Studio, Belfast Telegraph House, Clarendon Dock, 33 Clarendon Road, Belfast, BT1 3BG
PUBLISHED BY: Independent Newspapers Ltd, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
SPONSORS PARTNERS
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |3
INTRODUCTION
PASSION AND DRIVE
Sven Spollen-Behrens, director of the SFA, highlights the positivity that exists in Ireland’s small business
sector and the need for a strategy to support its continuing growth
I
reland is a nation of small businesses
and small firms with fewer than 50
employees account for 98% of the
total number of businesses in Ireland
employing one in every two private sector
workers. They are present in every village,
town and city in the country. We have
seen this through the SFA National Small
Business Awards this year, with entrants
from all over the country competing in
the awards and showing what a range of
diverse and interesting businesses can be
found all across Ireland.
According to the latest ‘Small Business
Sentiment Survey’, our healthy economy
continues to drive ambition among our
small business community. Domestic
economic growth, which is forecasted to
be close to 3.1% this year, was identified as
the biggest opportunity for small business
owners in 2020. Two thirds of survey
respondents indicated their intention to
invest in their business and recruit over
the coming year. These investments will
be in a wide variety of sectors, giving a
boost to villages, towns and cities across
the country.
Although the current economic outlook
is favourable, the survey results also
focused on several areas of concern for Celebrating the launch of the SFA National Small Business Awards were (from left to right): David Casey, health promotion director,
small firms. Risk factors identified were De Care Dental; Sinead Byrne, finance director, Vodafone; Declan Coppinger, marketing finance manager, Bord Bia; Patrick Farrell,
Brexit, the ability to attract talent and retail director, Permanent TSB; Sven Spollen Behrens, director, SFA; An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD; Sue O’Neill, SFA; Paul Healy,
slower economic expansion – all of which CEO, Skillnet Ireland; Geraldine Larkin, CEO, NSAI; Eoghan Hanrahan, regional director, Enterprise Ireland and Jock Jordan, group
have the potential to reduce growth and sales director, One4All
confidence in our small business sector.
reduce waste and deliver sustainable Providing small businesses with
Need for strategy development as economies across the additional State supports to identify and
In this post-election phase when parties world transition to low carbon, bio and exploit opportunities from the green
engage with each other to form the next circular economies. economy would both help to meet carbon
government, the SFA is campaigning For Ireland to meet its binding emission targets and make Ireland more self-
for the development of an SME and targets, we need to engage and empower sufficient with supplies.
Entrepreneurship Strategy. This will our small business community by setting
focus on driving productivity and clear and definite environmental targets, Awards programme
innovation, introduce a comprehensive policies and incentives so they know The SFA National Small Business Awards
tax policy that is conducive to small what needs to be done in enough time are now entering their sixteenth year. The
firms, achieve a step-up in financial skills, to transition to a low carbon economy. finalists in this year’s awards come from
and will get behind our incredible small a wide variety of backgrounds, sectors
business owners who between 2014 and and parts of the country. They all clearly
2019 created 75,000 jobs.
We will urge the next Cabinet to listen
“Providing small demonstrate that with a clear business
vision, a sense of optimism, passion, drive
and make every effort to understand the
challenges faced by small firms, including
businesses with and perseverance, success is possible.
These awards would not be possible
the rising cost of doing business and additional State without the generous support of our
regulatory burden, access to training sponsors. Their support highlights their
and education and the need for better supports to commitment to small business in Ireland
broadband to maintain competitiveness.
As we look to the future, we must also identify and exploit and I would like to express our gratitude
to each of them, namely: Bord Bia, Sven Spollen-Behrens, SFA director
make it easier and more attractive for
small firms to transition to a low carbon
opportunities from DeCare, Enterprise Ireland, One4All, IE
Domain Registry, NSAI, SBCI, Permanent to CEO Barry Mc Cleary and to Megazyme
economy and play a role in alleviating
climate change. Over the next decade
the green economy TSB, Vodafone and to Skillnet Ireland, our
management training partner. Thanks
for this very generous donation.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of
we will see entire sectors undergo would both help to also to our media partner, the Irish this year’s finalists. Regardless of the
radical changes and create new types of Independent. outcome, you are all winners and deserve
enterprises and jobs. meet carbon targets I am delighted that once again this year every success; the quality and standard
There is a commitment by government
and European policymakers to tackle and make Ireland we have a very special charity donation
for our winning company. Our 2013
of our awards finalists is really second to
none.
climate change. Therefore, government
and businesses have important roles to
more self-sufficient overall winner Megazyme International
has very kindly donated a special bursary To find out more about the SFA National
play to encourage, develop and adopt
innovative technologies, products and
with supplies.” of €5,000 which our winning company
can donate to a charity of its choice. I
Small Business Awards programme and
see past and present finalists and winners
services that increase efficiencies, would like to extend our sincere gratitude go to www.sfa.ie/awards.
4 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
INSIGHTS
RESONATING with consumers
In light of the latest consumer trends, small food and drink businesses are ideally positioned to respond to
market demand while continuing to innovate
Bord Bia supports
to small business
The annual Small Business
Seminar gives small businesses an
opportunity to network with their
peers, hear from industry experts
and meet with the Bord Bia team.
Foodworks, run by Bord Bia,
Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, is
an accelerator programme helping
to develop the next generation of
scalable and export-driven Irish
food businesses.
Bord Bia partners with a number
of Irish supermarket chains on
their retailer programmes – Aldi
(Grow with Aldi), Lidl (KickStart) and
Supervalu (Food Academy). These
programmes give small food and
drink businesses the opportunity to
sell their products on supermarket
shelves as well as receive training
and mentorship.
The Bloom Food Market also
provides an excellent opportunity for
small food and drink companies to
build their brand among consumers
and to meet with buyers. Over 50
food companies participate in the
Food Market at the annual Bord Bia
event.
Karen Tyner, senior manager, Bord Bia and Gillian Willis, small business manager, Bord Bia at its Small Business Seminar 2020 Each year, a number of organic
“P
companies attend BioFach, the
ower increasingly lies with producers which successfully tell their multinationals adding smaller brands to world’s leading organic trade fair.
the small players who can brand story have the opportunity to take their portfolio,’’ says Willis. An example This gives these companies the
interact with consumers advantage of these consumer trends. of this is the US cereal giant General opportunity to showcase their
on a more personal level.” A Bord Bia report which looked at Mills acquiring the meat snacks company products and meet with prospective
That’s the message from Bord Bia’s small consumer attitudes to local food found Epic Provisions, as it recognised that buyers.
business manager Gillian Willis who ‘local’ is a strong purchase motivator for this ‘small brand’ story was resonating The Bord Bia Marketing
advises that small companies need to consumers, who often link a product to with consumers. This also highlights Assistance Programme is open to
maximise on the ‘small is beautiful’ trend a particular place or individual. “This that small producers are continuing to companies with a turnover greater
among consumers. highlights the importance to consumers pave the way in terms of research and than €100,000 and less than €3.5m
In recent years, consumers have been of small brands including a location or development and innovation. in the year prior to application.
increasingly looking to buy from brands personality element in their brand story,” So how can small business ensure they Bord Bia introduced the Step
whose purpose aligns with their beliefs. says Willis. are capitalising on this growing trend? Change Programme in 2015
Their purchasing decisions are driven Meanwhile, ‘Community and Identity’ A key way is to approach this is to look at as an additional fund to support
by their ethical values and a search for is a key lifestyle trend influencing the marketing mix, ‘the four Ps’: companies with turnover greater
authenticity, sustainability and local – all consumer choices, according to Bord Product - Is your product than €100,000 and less than €10m
of which are important elements of many Bia’s Consumer Lifestyle Trends 2019 communicating your positioning? Is your in the year prior to application.
small food and drink producers’ offering. report. A sub-trend in this area is ‘Access product reinforcing your messaging?
Therefore, those small food and drink and Involvement’. This shows that Pricing – Does your pricing strategy
consumer creativity is on the rise, as match consumer expectations? It is
individuals want active involvement in priced accurately against its competition?
“Consumers, more and the chance to make their mark in
their community and on the goods they
Place – Having identified your target
consumer, are you selling your product
than ever, want consume.
Consumers, more than ever, want
using the correct locations? Where
should it be available in the ‘bricks and
an immersive an immersive involvement in the food clicks’ world?
products they purchase, including an Promotion – Are you communicating
involvement in the understanding of the supply chain from the product’s benefits and features to the
food products they farm to fork. Small producers are often
in a position to provide consumers with
consumer in a clear way and using the
right avenues?
purchase, including a high level of involvement in their
business and give them a more bespoke Bord Bia has understood the increasing
an understanding experience.
Multinationals have also recognised
need for consumer reassurance on
sustainability and the environmental and
Pat Cussen, sales manager, Healy’s
Honey and Dr Nicholas O’Brien,
of the supply chain this growing consumer trend and are social impact of food. To understand how Ireland’s Ambassador to the Federal
looking for ways to operate in this space. consumer needs are constantly changing Republic of Germany at BioFach
from farm to fork.” “We are seeing an increasing number of please visit www.Bordbia.ie/industry.
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |5
FOOD AND DRINK
Warm welcome
A flair for the personal touch and a dedication
to preserving the family heritage through the
generations are what set Kettles Country House
Hotel apart
N
estled in a peaceful setting just Newgrange in Navan, Co Meath, Colin
outside Swords, Co Dublin, Ket- has trained extensively and gathered
tles Country House Hotel is one ideas to incorporate within the business.
of a kind. Originally set up in 1978 “It was ingrained in us from a young
by Joe and Phyllis Kettle, it is now owned age to work in the hospitality industry
by their sons Colin and Joseph Kettle with and also to support our local people and
their brother Barry also working within the produce,” he says.
business catering for functions. Open all year round with a staff of 44,
Owner Rebecca Harrison (centre) and members of the Food and Fishers team Extensive refurbishments were carried mostly local people who have worked for
out in 2006 on what was originally the the company for years, Kettles Country
Rolestown Inn to redevelop the property House Hotel caters for everything from
Ingredients for success
as Kettles Country House Hotel. It offers corporate and social events to private
25 relaxing en-suite rooms blending functions. Repeat business is significant,
tradition and modernisation to create with the same customers having their
the perfect stay while still maintaining weddings, children’s christenings,
an old-style country experience. There is communions and confirmations at the
For the past seven years, Food at Fishers has been a complimentary airport shuttle service hotel.
and guests can also avail of the free car Online marketing has been a successful
focused on serving the finest and freshest food in a park. tool for the thriving wedding trade. There
With an extensive menu from locally is always one family member to meet the
friendly and stress-free ambiance sourced products the dining room is wedding guests on arrival and there is
W
bustling from morning to night. Having a family member in the hotel at the end
ith an attention to detail for menu evolves all the time, dishes like previously worked in the Crown Plaza of their evening which adds a personal
sourcing local home-grown ‘hot open chicken sandwiches with in Queenstown, New Zealand and in touch to the couple’s special day, notes
produce, Rebecca Harrison bacon, brie and caramelised onion’ are Colin.
has developed Food at Fish- a consistent favourite. “The new goat’s Quoting his father, he says: “A happy
ers into the thriving and bustling café it is
today in the picturesque town of Newtown-
cheese with pear and walnut salad is
going down a treat at the moment,” says
“It was ingrained customer is a smiling customer leaving
here and they will always return as a
mountkennedy, Co Wicklow. Harrison. in us from a young regular. Look after your customers and
Currently with a loyal and local staff Originally a pastry chef, Doolin makes your customers will look after you.”
of 13, Harrison started the company in “mouth-watering and appealing desserts”, age to work in the Over the next three years the family
2013. Teaming up with head chef Chelsea
Doolin, who has won several culinary
everything from classic baked cheesecake
and hummingbird cake to a light and hospitality industry hopes to add a further 25 bedrooms –
still holding onto a traditional, country
awards for her cooking, was a fortuitous
moment. With Harrison’s background
flavoursome carrot cake.
As a daytime café specialising in lunch,
and also to support feel with bright warm tones inspired by
the late Phyllis Kettle. This expansion
in business and marketing and Doolin’s
in the food industry this has made for a
brunch and treats, table service was a
priority from the start. “This personal
our local people and would enable the company to cater for a
wider clientele such as bus tours, bigger
winning combination. touch makes us different to a lot of other produce.” functions and a larger corporate market.
“What makes us different is our cafés. Our staff have been with us for
good quality, locally-sourced seasonal years and have a love for what they do,”
ingredients and making everything fresh notes Harrison.
in-house,” says Harrison. The café offers Over recent years, the business has
gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian expanded from a 40-seater café to an
options and has a takeout menu. 80-seater, providing a heated seating
Having started out as a facility for area outside and facilities for bike racks
Fisher’s department store, the café has to cater for the many cyclists coming to
grown substantially and holds its own the area.
now as a separate business. While the The role the café plays in the
community is very important to Harrison.
It hosts morning workshops which
“This personal can include felting, crochet making
and wire art. “This offers a service to
touch makes us the community, not only in terms of
learning new skills but also as a social
different to a lot gathering.” Fashion shows also take place
on a regular basis before the rush of the
of other cafés. Our lunchtime trade.
staff have been with On the corporate side, the café provides
local businesses with lunches and platters
us for years and of food for board meetings and training
days. “We try to make our platters
have a love for what visually creative for these events, serving
coronation chicken on homemade brown
they do.” bread and Wicklow ham with cheddar
cheese and fresh salad,” says Harrison. Colin and Joseph Kettle, owners, Kettles Country House Hotel
www.fishers.ie www.kettleshotel.ie
6 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
FOOD AND DRINK
Back to baking
With two retail premises thriving in Dublin,
Camerino Bakery is focused on high quality natural
ingredients, ethical sourcing and originality
W
hile working as a human “Everything we bake is made with
resources manager at an engi- personal attention, love for the craft
neering firm, Canadian-born and the best butter in the world. The
Caryna Camerino started Camerino customer is looking for
baking in the evenings as a stress reliever something fresher, more original, more
and form of escapism from the corporate beautiful,” she says.
world. Sandwiches are made on homemade
What started out as a hobby and a bread with the freshest and best quality
passion for baking progressed from ingredients sourced from outstanding
providing homemade treats in her local suppliers. Camerino Bakery’s
home to selling them in market stalls at raspberry cheese cake brownies are
weekends and eventually becoming a award-winning and it will bake bespoke
wholesale business, providing her own cakes for any occasion tailored to the
Thomas Hayes, business development and marketing manager, produce to local independently owned customer’s needs.
The Tipperary Cheese Company cafes and restaurants around Dublin. Customers celebrate their most
In 2014 Camerino Bakery opened its important personal moments from
Tipp top
first retail premises, a small takeaway birthdays, weddings, communions, and
bakery in Capel Street and in 2018 a career achievements with lovingly-made
sit-down cafe at the basement of Goethe Camerino cakes. That means that the
Institut on Merrion Square was added. company maintains close relationships
The Cafe on Merrion Square will soon be with customers that last for years. “That
Having built up a strong following in the food offering natural biodynamic wines and
snacks in the evenings.
sense of connection translates into
powerful loyalty and referrals as well
service market, The Tipperary Cheese Company is “We care about the origin of the food,
high quality natural ingredients and
as shared experiences on social media,”
Camerino notes.
working on maximising its retail presence buying from ethical companies that
W
give back to the community,” Camerino
ith a heritage of 400 years, The
Tipperary Cheese Company
all year and are housed in the winter to
ensure top quality milk.
explains.
As she says herself, Camerino has come
“Everything we
is located in the picturesque
pastures of the Golden Vale in
As well as supplying its products
wholesale to schools, hotels and hospitals
a long way from “a one-woman stall at a
market” to now working as part of a team
bake is made with
Borris, Co Tipperary, producing top quality and having an award-winning cheese of 28. Growth has been consistent thanks personal attention,
soft cheese and yoghurt for over 30 years. in Supervalu, The Tipperary Cheese to low staff turnover, high customer
This family-run business has been Company is introducing a fortified engagement and a desire to provide the love for the craft
handed down through the generations
having been originally set up by two
Vitamin D children’s yoghurt for sale
in July as part of the Lidl ‘Kick-start’
best produce.
and the best butter
brothers Liam and Donal Hayes.
Thomas Hayes, who is heavily involved
programme.
The company has been selling into
in the world. The
in the marketing side of the business,
says: “My Dad [Donal] started a milk
the UK for 30 years and is in the process
of developing new products with a fast
Camerino customer
round in the 1970s and in the 1980s food chain there. Breaking into the is looking for
both brothers started making a soft, Dubai market over the coming years is
creamy cheese to sell to local hotels and something Hayes would like to see come something fresher,
restaurants in Tipperary. This is where
the concept for the company came about.”
to fruition. With 90% of The Tipperary
Cheese Company’s business in the food more original, more
The land is now farmed by both Liam
and Donal and there are 30 full-time
service sector, the vision over the next
few years is to maintain this market
beautiful.”
employees. As well as milk that is while also expanding its retail presence
produced on the farm, neighbouring milk significantly to all major supermarkets. The products, which are beautifully
is also used to bring the products to table. Conscious of trying to reduce its indulgent and appetising, are ideal for
The cows eat the richest of grass almost environmental impact, the company is in Instagram, she adds. “We love to share
the process of installing an anaerobic bio the fun of working in Camerino Bakery
digester, which it aims to have achieved by posting what we’ve made or what
“We are aware of by the end of this year. Waste water and we’re up to. We also collaborate with like-
animal waste from the farm and factory minded food businesses and community
climate change can create gas. The objective of installing programmes to foster creative inspiration
and the effect large the bio digester will be to harness this gas
to generate electricity and heat the water
and these partnerships lead to shared
social media exposure.”
processors can have for the factory, farm and also for the two
houses on the farm.
The website is a virtual shop window
with tantalising and mouthwatering
on the environment “We are aware of climate change and
the effect large processors can have on
delights that make it even easier for
customers to choose the perfect cake
so we are doing our the environment so we are doing our best for their next celebration. “Even our
to tackle this. We are also trying to create Caryna Camerino, owner, PR department is homemade,” says
best to tackle this.” more sustainable packaging,” says Hayes. Camerino Bakery Camerino.
www.hayesfarm.ie www.camerino.ie
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |7
INSIGHTS
HIGH STANDARDS
Geraldine Larkin, chief executive officer of the National Standards Authority of Ireland, explains what the
organisation does and the relevance and importance of standards for SMEs
T
he National Standards Authority
of Ireland (NSAI) is Ireland’s
official standards body. We aim to
inspire consumer confidence and
create the infrastructure for products and
services to be recognised and relied upon
across the world.
Where a standard already exists, NSAI
works with businesses to help them apply
it. Where a standard is needed, NSAI will
work with relevant parties at a national or
international level to create and develop
the appropriate standard.
For many SMEs operating in a highly
competitive and fast-paced environment,
implementing standards into their
business may not be at the top of the list
of priorities. NSAI understands this. We
know that investing in standards can
be a time-consuming process, however
we believe early and active engagement
in standards development can help
companies set themselves apart from
their competitors.
Standards help businesses to de-risk,
drive down costs, boost productivity
and grow profits. They allow companies
to accelerate their research and
development (R&D) activities, which
enables faster mass-market adoption of
products across competitive international
markets. It can also instil confidence
in the existing customers of a business
resulting in retention, as well as Geraldine Larkin, chief executive officer, National Standards Authority of Ireland
attracting new opportunities.
The standards most suited to Irish SMEs
are: ISO 50001 (Energy Management
Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental
“By actively engaging in standards Implementing
Management Systems), ISO 90001
(Quality Management Systems) and
committees, Irish companies can ensure standards – ten
Excellence Through People. they are ahead of the curve when it comes benefits to SMEs
A direct say to product innovation and ensuring they 1. Helps you to compete on a
Participation in the standards
development process allows SMEs to continue to meet international trade level playing field with bigger
enterprises.
have a direct say on Irish, European
and international standards being
requirements.” 2. Opens export markets for your
products and services.
developed that shape the market in which 3. Helps you to discover best
they operate. By actively engaging in engagement in European and with external stakeholders and partners. business practices.
standards committees, Irish companies international standards development A recent report from the Organisation 4. Drives efficiency in your
can ensure they are ahead of the curve work programmes across all industry for Economic Cooperation and business operations.
when it comes to product innovation sectors on ‘national mirror committees’. Development (OECD) identified problems 5. Adds credibility and confidence
and ensuring they continue to meet These are in standardisation with productivity levels in the Irish SME for your customers.
international trade requirements. areas including information and sector. It found the gap in the productivity 6. Opens new business
Standards have also been seen to communications technology, advanced of large companies versus SMEs here is opportunities and sales.
bridge the innovation gap between R&D manufacturing, construction (including growing. 7. Gives you a competitive edge.
and global market impact by building Building Information Modelling), health, The new ISO series of guidance 8. Reduces business risks.
customer trust and confidence in new electro-technical and gas networks and standards on Innovation Management, 9. Helps your company to grow.
innovative solutions. In collaboration appliances. developed by innovation experts from 10. Enables a common “language”
with national RDI Centres, NSAI has across the world, provides international to be used across an industry
continued to promote the benefits of Irish Aiding innovation best practice on the systematic sector.
engagement in international standards An organisation’s ability to innovate management of innovation activities
development with companies involved in is widely recognised as a key factor in organisations of all types, including
R&D and innovation. for sustained growth and economic SMEs. The standard provides practical on the benefits of implementing
This value is reflected in the level of viability. The innovation capabilities of tools and methods on how SMEs can standards for their businesses. We do
industry engagement with standards an organisation include: the ability to effectively and consistently deliver new this using various channels, such as
through the NSAI Consultative understand and respond to changing products and services to their customers attending industry conferences, hosting
Committee membership, which now conditions; to pursue new opportunities; on an ongoing basis. events, working with academia, hosting
stands at over 1,600 members. It is and to leverage the knowledge To support the continuing and vital webinars, and promoting our work on our
through this committee structure and creativity of people within the contribution of SMEs to the Irish website and on social media platforms
that NSAI facilitates Irish industry organisation, as well as in collaboration economy, NSAI provides information such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
8 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
MANUFACTURING
Concrete results
Big
Barn Red
shor is als
tl o
Inno isted in t
Year va t o he
and E r of the
of th xporter Design-led products and ambitious plans have driven
e
cate Year
gorie
s rapid growth at Carlow Concrete, which is now
eyeing the Northern European market
S
et up 2016 as a precast currently on a number of residential sites
manufacturer of large with that across Ireland,” says Byrne.
underground tank systems, “We can put up a pair of semi-detached
Carlow Concrete is already homes in a week. After we leave site it’s
a market leader in this area in both a waterproof envelope ready for internal
Ireland and the UK and is now looking to fit-out by the electricians, plumbers and
accelerate growth with a new product line plasterers. This should be a real game
and expansion into Europe. changer for the government and how it
The company’s main business continues meets its housing targets every year.”
to be the design, manufacture and Looking at new markets is also part of
Donal Byrne, founder and owner, Big Red Barn installation of the tanks, which are used the plan. “We see the potential for setting
to contain excess stormwater to alleviate up an office, probably in Brussels, so we
Making it modular
flooding. “We have hundreds of these can hit the northern European market,”
installed across the UK and Ireland,” says Byrne says. “We know our product
managing director and co-founder Enda travels and we’ve looked at that as part
Byrne. of our Brexit risk mitigation strategy. It’s
“Whereas most pre-casters got tied up something that does stack up.”
Big Red Barn has branched into manufacturing a with commodity-type products, we are
very design driven.” As a result, he says,
range of homes at affordable prices having originally each tank is site-specific, tailored to suit
each client’s exact requirements. “Whereas most pre-
supplied to the events industry The company, which has an output casters got tied up
O
of around 120 articulated lorry loads of
wned and managed by Donal
Byrne, Big Red Barn has grown
January of this year saw the launch
of Big Red Barn’s ‘Tiny Home’, which
product from its Garryhill, Co Carlow
factory each month, is also involved in
with commodity-
from five staff in 2014 to 40 in can be used as a starter home, student other large-scale tank solutions. For type products, we
2020, employing many young accommodation, Airbnb or holiday home. example, it recently completed work on
people returning from abroad to work These small (250 sq ft) structures are built the largest pre-cast reservoir in Europe, are very design
with the company at its base in Swinford,
Co Mayo.
on wheels allowing them to be moved to
the perfect location. The homes feature
in Cumbria in the north of England. It
is also doing a lot of the drainage work driven.”
In 2019 Big Red Barn launched its a living area with vaulted ceiling and can on the new North Runway at Dublin
1,600 sq ft Dormer home which is sleep up to four people in two double loft Airport. “That’s one of the largest tank
delivered in turnkey condition with rooms. installations ever in Ireland,” says Byrne. Carlow Concrete was named Best
no other contractors required on site. Byrne believes modular homes offer a “The projects are getting bigger and Export Business in the National
Made from CE-certified steel and solution to the present housing crisis: bigger all the time.” Enterprise Awards 2018. It has also
Scandinavian pine, the home meets all ‘’The process is not governed by some A brand new area, meanwhile, is its recently been accepted by Enterprise
building requirements and is an almost external factors present in traditional modular housing system, which has just Ireland as a new high potential start-up
‘zero energy’ home at an affordable builds such as adverse weather, received full NSAI agrément approval (HPSU).
price. Starting at €150,000, the cost is challenging site logistics or skills and is currently awaiting National House The company currently employs 14
significantly less than a traditionally built shortages. The speed of the programme Building Council approval in the UK. people directly, as well as around 35 sub-
home. leads to earlier project completion.” “We have brought the building system contractors in the factory and another 30
Trish Byrne, head of marketing and Big Red Barn has completed a number to market in the past few months and are on site installations of various projects.
sales at Big Red Barn, explains the of significant projects in the UK, the
innovative building methods used by the most recent at Hinkley Point C nuclear
company: ‘’Using off-site manufacturing power station, one of Europe’s largest
we significantly reduce the overall building projects. It has also provided
C
construction time and cost of homes. residential units to families in the Greater
Conc arlow
Because these homes are factory London area. With the onset of Brexit it
shor rete is al
manufactured they can be completed in has increased its focus on the US market tl s
a matter of weeks as opposed to months where it has a base and plans to start Expo isted in th o
rter o e
Year
cate f the
or years as is the case with conventional manufacturing later this year.
building.” gory
Off-site construction has a number
of environmental benefits. Waste is “Because these
significantly reduced – there is 52% less
landfill than a traditional build and 70% homes are factory
less carbon footprint.
Byrne highlights the diversity in Big
manufactured they
Red Barn’s client base: ‘’Our customers can be completed in
range from older couples who are
downsizing to younger couples with a matter of weeks as
families. We are seeing an increase opposed to months or
in people purchasing our affordable
€40,000, one-bed home for older people years as is the case
who want to live independently but
require a bit of support and need to live
with conventional
close to family.” building.” Enda Byrne, co-founder and managing director, Carlow Concrete
www.bigredbarn.ie | www.modularhomesireland.ie www.carlowconcrete.com
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS |9
MANUFACTURING
Heaven sent
A brand that literally started at the kitchen
table, Green Angel is now looking to become
a major export player
C
ombining their respective skills scratch,” says Mitchell. “This allows us
and knowledge of seaweed full control of provenance, efficacy and
(thalassotherapy) and essential reliability of all products.
oils (aromatherapy), Chris and “Our products are innovative and
Mary Mitchell set up Green Angel in 2005 creative and continually push the
after seeing a gap in the market for a full boundaries in the development and use
range of Irish skin and hair products. of ingredients in ground-breaking new
The pair worked with a chemist to products.” He adds that the inclusion
develop a skincare range that was initially of natural ingredients is of utmost
manufactured at the kitchen table and importance to the brand, along with the
Declan and Matthew Grimes of Kells Traditional Timber Windows and Doors filled by hand into simple white jars. A use of natural packaging.
year later, they moved to a warehouse In late 2018, Green Angel launched a
Window of opportunity
unit and continued to make the products rebrand following consistent feedback
using relatively basic equipment. from the sales team, retail partners and
While the all-organic product went consumers. According to Mitchell, the
down well from the start, getting the redesigned packaging, which followed
marketing and distribution strategies 18 months of research and development,
Merging age-old techniques with the latest right was a challenge in the first few
years. Interestingly, things started
has had a huge impact on domestic and
international sales.
technology is the focus for Meath-based Kells to improve during the recession. In fact, last year’s turnover was up 40%
“Because we were a home brand, we got over the previous year and Mitchell is
Traditional Timber Windows and Doors tremendous help and support. That set expecting a similar revenue spike in 2020.
M
us on the road and many retailers were Green Angel has clear goals for
aking beautiful and high says. “The complete product range is willing to open accounts with us,” Chris growth that support the team’s vision
quality windows and doors that environmentally friendly and based Mitchell says. of becoming a major export player, he
are energy efficient and made on traditional joinery manufacturing In 2008, the company had four says. As well as returning to seven UK
using sustainable wood is top methods.” employees and operating losses of trade shows it exhibited at in 2019, the
of the agenda at Kells Traditional Timber Plans for the next few years include €33,000. By 2020, it was operating out company will this year be attending
Windows and Doors. building on the company’s environmental of a state-of-the art factory in Rathcoole, leading skincare and beauty trade fairs
The company was set up in Kells, Co commitments by eventually Co Dublin, while staff numbers had Cosmoprof Italy, Cosmoprof USA and
Meath in 1997 by Paddy and Margaret manufacturing all of its products out increased to 22 and the company made “a Cosmoprof Asia.
Grimes, together with their sons Matthew of Accoya. This is a high performance good profit”. On the new product front, it has
and Declan. Today, Declan and Matthew and sustainably sourced soft wood that “Green Angel now has a purpose- developed a pipeline of new products or
are working alongside their siblings undergoes a proprietary, non-toxic designed, highly efficient factory where new product combination offers that will
Damien, Patrick and Orla and a team of acetylation process that permanently we prepare all products in-house from come on stream on a three-monthly basis.
28 to grow the company’s three brands: modifies the wood to the core. The result
Kells Traditional Timber Windows and is an environmentally friendly solid wood
Doors, Konic Doors and Metolike 2016. with durability, dimensional stability “Our products are innovative and creative
According to Declan Grimes, the
company is one of the largest bespoke
and beauty that matches or exceeds even
the best tropical hardwood, according to and continually push the boundaries in
manufacturers of high performance
timber windows and doors in Ireland and
Grimes.
The company will also be making the development and use of ingredients in
the UK. “For people who love their homes,
the Kells name stands for high quality,
continued investment in automation
and software through its Kelforth
ground-breaking new products.”
beautifully crafted timber windows and programme. “This programme will
doors,” he says. allow us to manufacture a truly bespoke
The company has a focus on energy product that through software and
efficiency and environmentally automation will become very standard
sustainable products. “As a pioneer and in turn will yield higher profit
in the industry, Kells was the first margins and a faster turnaround. We feel
Irish manufacturer to have an A-rated that we nearly have the assembly of new
energy efficient traditional timber sash wooden windows and doors to the same
window crafted in Ireland,” Grimes stage as the assembly of Lego.”
For the future, Grimes says he sees Kells
becoming a dedicated manufacturer of
“The complete high-end bespoke wood products, selling
directly to trade and reseller/distribution
product range is partners in Ireland, the UK and the US.
This month, after receiving Intertrade
environmentally Ireland Fusion Programme funding, Kells
will begin an 18-month project to develop
friendly and an online portal. This will enable clients
based on to be directly involved in the design of
their products and allow them to view
traditional joinery their own projects in virtual reality.
Potential clients will be able to download
manufacturing a quotation through the portal at the
click of a button. And the new software
methods.” will link with the company’s current
production system. Chris and Mary Mitchell, co-founders, Green Angel
www.kellswindows.com www.greenangel.com
10 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDSINSIGHTS
TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD Vodafone Ireland is using seamless connectivity to enable new ways of working for
the advancement of our rural communities
T
hrough cloud-based platforms, owners are fully embracing it. One in
machine-to-machine services three (33%) employees sees it as top
and professional ICT support, priority in their current role, 50% in a
Vodafone’s myriad of mobile, future job and 34% are likely or very likely
broadband and networking solutions can to move job for it.
offer firms the chance to succeed in a A first-of-its-kind economic report
connected world, whatever the size of the commissioned by Vodafone Ireland in
organisation. 2019 and written by economist Jim Power
As business director, Regina Moran shows that the creation of smart working
leads a team that services all of in Ireland could prove transformative for
Vodafone’s business customers across businesses and local communities.
the Irish market. “Connectivity is at the In this context, Moran believes there
core of everything we do – fundamentally, has been a deepening divide between
our purpose is to partner with customers our urban and rural economies. “A big
to realise their connected ambition,” she conversation has come about through
says. our work with the SFA, and others, which
A relative newcomer to the informed our smart working programme
telecommunications sector, having joined and reports,” she explains.
Vodafone less than two years ago, Moran “There are so many potential benefits
has seen sizable industry shifts during to smart working, not only to small firms
this relatively short timeframe. “Vodafone and rural communities, but also to urban
was the first operator to launch 5G, which communities that are getting saturated
is going to be an amazing game-changer by infrastructure. Companies benefit
in terms of technology and the Internet from increased productivity as people
of Things as we see a whole new set of spend less time travelling, but it also
business models emerging,” she says. widens their talent pool considerably.
“5G brings ultra-fast speeds, but it’s Plus, employees are more likely to stay
also about low latency and very high with the company; the flexibility means a
bandwidth, and this combination will lot to people”.
allow firms to do things we probably
haven’t even fully dreamed of yet.”
Vodafone has the infrastructure in
place to make a huge difference to the
“This reliable
connectivity landscape in Ireland over
the coming years. The company offers
connectivity is
integrated, next-generation fixed and really important
mobile solutions in addition to cloud-
based platforms. One example of this is for small firms as
One Net Business, a solution aiming to
simplify lines of communication for firms they now have the
in one intelligent cloud-based system,
so people can work from anywhere, at ability to trade in
any time. It basically acts as broadband
backup. “If a small firm can’t trade due to
countries across the
a drop in connectivity, that has a hugely
negative impact,” notes Moran.
world. What can be
She adds: “Our mobile network is achieved is actually
hugely important to small firms across
Ireland, and we have been independently very powerful.”
certified as having the best network for
voice, data and text. That ‘always-on’
connectivity is really important today.” Digital hubs
As part of Vodafone’s national Gigabit
A smart solution Hub Initiative, the company provides free
Vodafone’s desire is to start a national connectivity to 15 digital hubs, which are
conversation between industry, making significant contributions to the
Government and communities on how local economies and communities they Regina Moran, business director, Vodafone. Photo: Paul McCarthy
advancing smart working opportunities operate in.
can benefit local economies, the “These hubs are a place where small connectivity that Vodafone can provide, across the world,” says Moran. “What can
environment and the wellbeing of businesses congregate, and it’s amazing but it’s the community dimension that I be achieved is actually very powerful.
employees and business owners. to see ideation emerging and businesses see as another key element in making this One example is the art dealer, Morgan
Smart working is defined as the flourishing outside the main cities. work.” O’Driscoll. Based in Skibbereen and with
combined use of technology with Overall, it is stimulating local economies One of the obstacles for small firms access to gigabit connectivity, it can
flexibility and agility for employees to and breathing life back into rural towns,” in entering new markets is limited upload high quality images instantly to its
work from home, from a hub or using notes Moran. access to high-speed connectivity, which website and sell art worldwide from West
a hybrid model (part-home, part-office) “From a mental health perspective, can make it difficult to compete with Cork.”
enabled by connectivity. there is the removal of isolation for bigger competitors and internationally.
According to SME research released by remote workers, and there are also Vodafone’s gigabit connectivity is For more information about Vodafone’s
Vodafone Ireland in 2018 – The Future of benefits for the environment from the fundamental in broadening the technology communications solutions
Business in Ireland: A Conversation with reduction of carbon emissions that enterprise and export base of Irish firms. for businesses, visit www.vodafone.ie/
SMEs – the majority of SME employees result from long commutes. Ireland has “This reliable connectivity is really business. Written by Colin White, this is
are in favour of remote, flexible or smart a real opportunity to make a difference. important for small firms as they now an edited version of an article which first
working practices but only 9% of SME Obviously, you need the high-speed have the ability to trade in countries appeared in Better Business magazine.
WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS | 11SERVICES
Finding talent
A keen understanding of the requirements of
client companies and candidates is at the heart
of HERO Recruitment’s offering
P
ersonal experience of looking for Stryker, Hollister, Medtronic, Integer,
work after returning to Ireland Thermo King, BD Medical, Coca-Cola and
from the US and New Zealand Ingersoll Rand.
was the catalyst for Michelle Kil- The company’s focus is to “find the best
car and Roisin McNamara to set up their in people”, says McNamara. “We love to
own recruitment agency in 1997. work with people throughout their entire
“I had held a successful career abroad career, not just a once-off placement. We
with a good company and company car,” are proud that many of our valued candi-
says McNamara. “After meeting with dates become our clients on this journey.”
Damien Lynch, co-founder, Etag Fixings local recruitment agencies in Ireland, I Partnering with clients to set goals
lost my confidence. They didn’t take time around talent acquisition challenges and
to understand my talents. I wanted to delivering bespoke recruitment market-
Fixed benefits
change that experience for other people ing campaign strategies are key selling
looking at a career move and HERO points for the company, according to
Recruitment was born.” Kilcar.
The company, which was known as CCP “We really believe that in 2019 in par-
until 2016, initially serviced the Galway ticular we stretched the boundaries of
A willingness to evolve to meet ever-changing market and now recruits for companies
all over Ireland. Internationally, it has
recruitment as we know it,” she says. “We
developed and implemented advanced,
customer needs has positioned specialist building provided talent to Germany and Canada. visionary and groundbreaking strategies
With a staff of 20 people, it currently has for our clients’ businesses.”
supplies company Etags Fixings well for success offices in Galway and Cork. One notable initiative last year was a
E
collaboration with Boston Scientific tar-
tags Fixings was founded by Paul in 2010 and is now sales director. geting Irish engineers who had moved to
Bonner and Damien Lynch in Ash-
bourne, Co Meath in 2004. Bonner
“Over the past two years, Shirley and
Shaun, in particular, have been interested
“We love to work Australia during the recession. “We think
outside the box and if the people are not
had a background in fixings, while
Lynch had worked as a sales negotiator
in directing the company going forward,”
Lynch says. “Shirley has been involved
with people available in Ireland for our clients then
we reach across the world to find them,”
for estate agent Hamilton Osborne King in a rebrand process for Etag, which is throughout their notes Kilcar.
before going out on his own in 2003. mainly a rebrand of the understanding One new offering is employer brand-
“I always wanted to work for myself,” of what we’re about, both internally and entire career, not ing, whereby HERO works closely with
Lynch says. “I decided to set up a small
distribution company that specialised in
externally.”
The company is also investing in a new just a once-off clients to position them as the employer
of choice with jobseekers. “This is a
on-site consumables, hand-powered tools
and safety equipment.”
e-commerce platform for the UK and
Ireland, as well as a fully automated bar-
placement.” powerful talent attraction tool that will be
embraced by all businesses in the future,”
The product line grew and when Bonner coding and stock control system. McNamara says.
came on board a year or so later, the pair In addition, the company has recently Customers are predominantly medical Having doubled in size over the past
added fixings to the mix and Etag Fixings set up a number of internal committees – device and pharmaceutical companies four years, the company is planning to
was born. “Nobody else really had that so including social, charity and environmen- searching for technical talent within the open a fully operational office in Dublin
it gave us a unique product offering for tal groups – to give staff a greater say in engineering sectors of automation, vali- over the next two years. Also on the cards
the marketplace,” Lynch says. decision making within the organisation. dation, R&D, quality and manufacturing is further expansion of its contracting
The company’s range today includes “With the environmental committee, for operations. HERO’s second key area of division into Europe, with a new team
products in the ceiling and drywall, exte- example, we’re looking at how we can expertise is information technology. member recently hired to spearhead this
rior insulation systems, mechanical and be more responsible and greener in our Clients include Boston Scientific growth.
electrical, masonry, concrete and form- practices,” Lynch explains.
work, signage and carpentry categories. He is anticipating strong growth this
Clients include most of the main year, particularly in Ireland. “We’re
building contractors in the UK and looking at the mechanical and electrical
Ireland, some of whom are now working market as a big area for growth, along
in Germany, the Benelux countries and with general housebuilding, fitouts and
Scandinavia, Lynch says. “We follow dry lining.”
our customers and a lot of them are now
working in continental Europe on critical
infrastructure projects. Where they go,
“We follow our
we go.”
Total headcount is now just over 80,
customers and
with 40 based in Ireland and the remain- a lot of them are
der in the UK. The company opened a
UK office in Bermondsey, London in 2011 now working
and has since moved to larger prem-
ises in Dagenham. The Irish business, in continental
meanwhile, relocated into a 30,000 sq ft
premises in Clonee, Co Dublin in 2018.
Europe on critical
Apart from Lynch and Bonner, the busi-
ness partners include general manager
infrastructure
Shirley Bowman who joined in 2005 and projects.”
Shaun Bonner, who started as a sales rep Michelle Kilcar and Roisin McNamara, co-founders, HERO Recruitment
www.etag.ie www.hero.ie
12 | SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDSYou can also read
