Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Award winners have a combined turnover of €13.9bn employing 51,000 nationwide.
Nine new businesses have been awarded Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade at the 14th annual awards programme, led by Deloitte in association with Bank of Ireland.
This year 136 indigenous companies were recognised, representing 25 of the 32 counties across Ireland.
“The performance of these Best Managed Companies throughout the pandemic and these more recent headwinds is a testament to the energy, resilience and skills of their respective management teams and staff who have all been resolutely tested in ways we could not have predicted over the last few years”
The network of companies has a combined turnover of €13.9bn providing over 51,000 jobs across Ireland across a range of sectors – from retail and hospitality to manufacturing and construction.
Resilience and dedication
Colette Twomey, managing director, Clonakilty Food Company and Brian Murphy, partner, Deloitte
In addition to the Best Managed Company Award, there are a number of special categories with the Family Business Award going to Cork-based infrastructure specialist EPS Group. The group employs over 570 people and provides sustainable water and wastewater solutions to its customers in the Irish and Northern Irish water industry. EPS Group’s main aim is to become an ethical business and a rewarding place to work.
The Best in Innovation Award category winner was announced as Delmec, who have innovation embedded throughout the company. This Carlow-based telecoms infrastructure provider specialises in mobile communications and is driving innovation with people and building on the technologies like mobile apps and mobile auditing to offer lower cost, greater probability, time saving, better data and better analysis to customers.
The nine newly qualified companies are: Kefron (Dublin), Clarke (Antrim), MTM Engineering ltd (Meath), Relatecare (Waterford), Kilwaughter Minerals ltd (Antrim), Kent Stainless ltd (Wexford), Re-gen Waste ltd (Down), Anthony Nicholas Group (Dublin) and Corrib Oil Group (Galway).
“A stand out from the judging process this year was the distinct focus of the Best Managed Companies on their local communities, despite their own international growth and ambition,” said Harry Goddard, CEO of Deloitte Ireland.
“Businesses have a vital role to play in our society. It was clear from the entries this year that they were having a positive impact not only on their own business, but also on the communities around them. I look forward to seeing how these businesses continue to invest, grow and contribute to our wider society.”
Nikki Canavan, Senior Director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, Paul Kearns, CEO, Kefron, Brian Murphy, Partner, Deloitte
In addition to the nine entrants and those that have requalified as a Best Managed Company, 10 companies achieved Gold Standard, including Dublin’s independent coffee chain group Insomnia Coffee Company and Louth’s chemical free and biodegradable baby wipes company WaterWipes securing Best Managed Company status for four consecutive years. Nine companies were awarded Platinum Standard, which included Mayo’s outdoor clothing manufacturer Portwest and Kerry’s financial services company Fexco having won this recognition seven years in a row.
“This has been quite a year Irish businesses, a year that began in 2022 in the grip of a global health crisis, with businesses grappling to emerge from pandemic restrictions being met almost immediately by new challenges, the global equilibrium rocked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rapid inflationary pressure, tightening labour markets, not to mention, the almost forgotten, but prevailing Brexit tailwinds,” said Nikki Canavan, senior director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking.
“The performance of these Best Managed Companies throughout the pandemic and these more recent headwinds is a testament to the energy, resilience and skills of their respective management teams and staff who have all been resolutely tested in ways we could not have predicted over the last few years. Bank of Ireland has been delighted to be able to support them through this year, as their Bank in many cases and also through our Coaches on the BMC programme.”
First-time winners
The nine first-time winners are:
| Company | County |
| Kefron | Dublin |
| Clarke | Antrim |
| MTM Engineering ltd | Meath |
| Relatecare | Waterford |
| Kilwaughter Minerals ltd | Antrim |
| Kent Stainless (Wexford) ltd | Wexford |
| Re-gen Waste ltd | Down |
| Anthony Nicholas Group | Dublin |
| Corrib Oil Group | Galway |
The Gold Standard
The Gold Standard (four years as a Best Managed) winners are:
| Company | County |
| Walls Construction ltd | Dublin |
| Drover Foods ltd | Wexford |
| Gourmet Food Parlour | Dublin |
| Beannchor Group | Antrim |
| Northern Hydraulics | Tyrone |
| SONAS Bathrooms | Dublin |
| Waterwipes | Louth |
| Delmec | Carlow |
| Insomnia Coffee Company | Dublin |
| CMS Distribution | Mayo |
Platinum Club
The Platinum Club (seven years as a Best Managed) winners are:
| Company | County |
| Combined Facilities Management ltd | Derry / Londonderry |
| King & Moffatt Building Services | Leitrim |
| Denroy ltd | Down |
| Portwest | Mayo |
| LED Group | Dublin |
| SalesSense International ltd | Galway |
| Fexco | Kerry |
| Learning Pool ltd | Derry / Londonderry |
| Wisetek | Cork |
Main image at top: Ann O’Brien, managing director, Kent Stainless Ltd, holding her award
