Multihog

www.multihog.com/

Multihog Ltd manufactures a range of multipurpose implement carriers designed to target the airport, highway and groundscare maintenance market. The company was formed by Jim McAdam and his daughter Ruth McAdam in 2008 after identifying a niche in the market for a heavy duty vehicle capable of carrying out numerous applications all year round. Multihog Ltd designs and manufactures their range of vehicles at their production facility in Dundalk and are exporting all across Europe.

The Multihog vehicles can be used for an endless array of applications including snow ploughing, salt spreading, asphalt planing and white line removal.  The ability of the Multihog vehicle to remain operational all year round provides the end user with a financially justifiable all year round solution for all maintenance applications.  The Multihog greatly increases product utilization, minimises machine operating costs, reduces labour requirements and provides a safer working environment for the operator.

Multihog were winners of the Leinster Best Business Start up award in 2010. The company has since grown to a team of over 35 and has won new contracts in the domestic and international markets. Multihog have re-entered the awards this year and we wish them the very best of luck in the 2011 Business Achievers Awards.

Nostra Systems

www.nostrasystems.ie

Nostra Technologies Limited was founded in 2007 by Kevin O’ Loughlin. The business achieved a turnover of just under €1 Million in its first year of trading. Nostra Systems is an innovative business which has a clear focus. Reduction of technology in its client’s offices linked with a reduction in costs.

Nostra manage clients both large and small across Ireland and the UK. Its clients range from Image Magazine and the Talbot Hotel group to Boyle Sports and Dawn Foods. Nostra is a rapidly expanding business which has built a reputation of advising clients on what’s best for them and introducing new technologies rather than going with the old and familiar.

Nostra is the leader in Ireland in Cloud technology and began selling cloud in 2008, before it was even known as Cloud technology. Nostra currently manages the IT for over 100 companies and has one of the highest qualified IT teams in the market. Nostra has a base of only Senior engineers meaning that it can deliver on its biggest promise, the now famous “30 Minute response guarantee”.

Nostra has proven itself to be a dynamic player in IT and continues to review, manage and deliver the best service to its clients. Most of the new business in Nostra comes from referral from its existing clients which is a testament to how the business operates. In 2008 Nostra was awarded the Leinster Best Business Start Up Award.

Brambles

www.brambles.ie

The Irish family owned business Brambles Café Ltd opened its first outlet in conjunction with Rathfarnham Castle in 1995 by Maeve and Ciaran Reid. Since then the company has become a growing food and catering business within the marketplace. In 2004 Brambles had 5 cafés and a turnover of €2.5 million each year. Now Brambles has a network of over 20 cafes and employs over 180 full and part time staff.

Brambles epitomize everything positive there is with a Successful Food Business. With the whole family having been involved from the inception each member has been instrumental in all the success achieved from the past 10 years. They have created a niche area within the market as they are not overly reliant on one sector of the market, but span across all demographics with a large range of food and catering business within the marketplace.

This family business has gained a well-earned reputation for providing high-quality food and dedicated service from start to finish. Brambles’ is the premier one-stop-shop for corporate and social events.

In 2009, Brambles was awarded the ‘Agriculture, Food & Drink Award’ In Leinster. More recently Maeve Reid represented the company during our creative shoot for this year’s Business Achievers Awards.

Ace Express Freight

www.aceexpressgroup.com

Ace Express Freight, established by Philip and Julie Tracey in 1989, is one of the largest family owned freight forwarding businesses in Ireland. With offices in Ireland, the UK and the Far East, Ace Express Freight specialises in road freight, nationwide distribution, sea freight services, airfreight, logistics and same day transport.

As the business continued to grow, the company opened up an office within the UK and developed strategic alliances with a number of key players within the UK. Around this time, Philip recognised the need to strengthen the operating management structure, and recruited to a number of key positions from the immediate extended family, specifically Mark Tracey was appointed to the role of Commercial Director, Robert Tracey was appointed to a senior logistics role. There are 8 of the Tracey family involved within the business

Ace Express Freight currently employs 83 people and has become a significant employer in north county Dublin, employing 80% of its staff within a 15km radius.

Speaking about the awards Philip Tracey added “Awards programmes have always been an important part of the Ace Express business and we were thrilled to be awarded the Leinster Family Run Business accolade in 2010. The award recognised the contribution of everyone in the Ace Express business, particularly our family which has been an integral part of the business since 1989.”

Speedpak

www.speedpak.ie

Speedpak is a ‘more than profit’ social enterprise operating on Dublin Northside, employing over 50 staff. We provide real work experience, mentoring and training to local long term unemployed people through our two commercial businesses and award winning Workplace Accreditation Model (WAM©) training programme. WAM© is an innovative model of workplace learning where staff receive a qualification that is the equivalent of the Leaving Certificate through working in the organisation.

Commercially we operate as a manufacturing support company specialising in providing customised contract packing and finishing services to industry. We also manufacture and sell a wide range of promotional products, including rosettes, sashes and badges under our Shamrock Rosette brand (www.facebook.com/ShamrockRosettes).

“For us, the business achievers awards have been a very positive experience. Winning the provincial award was a testament to the contribution made over many years by our voluntary board of directors and by the effort and commitment put in by our fantastic staff. The award has been a great motivator for our team and the associated PR and marketing has been very beneficial too.”

Andor Technology

www.andor.com

Andor Technology plc. (Andor) is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and operates at the high-value end of the global scientific digital camera market. Andor was setup in 1989 out of Queen’s University in Belfast, and now employs over 260 people in 16 offices worldwide and distributes its products to 10,000 customers in 55 countries.

The principal business of Andor is the development and manufacturing of high performance digital cameras. The company has grown organically and is today the fastest growing company manufacturing high performance digital cameras. Along the way they have pioneered the development of high performance cameras.

The growth and success of Andor has been driven by their simple ethos of maintaining the company focus on innovation, teamwork and customer focus.

Andor were chosen from over 400 businesses to be the Overall Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award winner in 2010.

Ulster

Ian Jordan, Ulster Bank’s Head of Business and Commercial Banking, Northern Ireland, gets the Ulster Business Achievers Awards 2011 underway with Donal Durkan, Director, Life Sciences & Creative at Invest Northern Ireland; and Sam McIlveen, Digital Publisher at the Belfast Telegraph.

Munster

Ulster Bank has launched its annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’. Businesses across Munster are invited to enter the 2011 awards. Tom Leahy, Regional Director, Ulster Bank, and Avril Twomey, Glenilen Farm. Glenilen Farm was awarded the 2010 Munster ‘Agriculture, Food & Drink Award’

Leinster

Ulster Bank has launched its annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’. Businesses across Leinster are invited to enter the 2011 awards. Pictured at the launch of the awards were (l-r), Karl Daley, Regional Director North Dublin & North East, Ulster Bank, with Michael Hoey and Chris Harmon from Country Crest. Country Crest was awarded the 2010 ‘Agriculture, Food & Drink Award’.

Connacht

Ulster Bank has launched its annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’. Businesses across Connacht are invited to enter the 2011 awards. Pictured at the launch of the awards were (l-r), Breege Newell, Irish Ambulance Training Institute, Brendan McDermott, Regional Director, Ulster Bank, and Tom Connell, Irish Ambulance Training Institute. The Irish Ambulance Training Institute was awarded the 2010 Connacht ‘Best Business Start-up Award’.

For further information on the awards and to enter your business, go to www.businessachieversaward.com. Entries close on 30 November 2011

Ulster Bank has launched its annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’. Businesses across Munster are invited to enter the 2010 awards, which are in association with the Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland. Pictured at the launch of the awards were (l-r), Jane McEvoy of McEvoy Family Foods and winner of the 2009 Munster Best Business Start-Up Award, and Tom Leahy, Regional Director, Ulster Bank. The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards are open for entry to Munster businesses at www.businessachieversaward.com

Ruth McAdam of Multihog, Gary Byrne of Nostra Systems, Maeve Reid of Brambles, Philip Tracey of Ace Express, Lorraine McBride of Speedpak and Andrew Dennis of Andor Technology all agreed to be profiled in the new advertising and their photos and company profiles will be used in print and online marketing material.

This year, the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards entered its 18^th year – recognising and rewarding successful businesses of all shapes and sizes, across all sectors, throughout the island of Ireland.  So what better way to promote the Awards than use previous winners themselves?

Ulster Bank is grateful for the time and patience of Ruth, Gary, Maeve, Philip, Lorraine and Andrew throughout the process.

Entries for the 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards will close on Wednesday, 30^th November.

Business Awards Open to Companies across Ireland

Ulster Bank Launch 18th annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’

Companies across the island of Ireland are being invited to enter the annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’ which recognise business success, irrespective of offering, size, sector or location. The awards, now in their 18th year, are in association with the Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Invest NI.

Throughout each stage of the competition, companies will be judged on a variety of merits including financial performance, company milestones and achievements, future strategy for the business and development of innovative products and services.

Entries for the 2011 awards are open to businesses across all sectors and businesses can enter themselves in up to two of eight categories:

1. Innovation & Emerging Technology Award
2. International Business Award
3. Social Entrepreneurship Award
4. Best Business Start-up Award
5. Family Run Business Award
6. Green Business Award
7. Agriculture, Food & Drink Award
8. Service Business Award

Following an initial judging process at the preliminary stage of the awards, competing businesses will be shortlisted for provincial awards. Provincial award winners will then go on to compete in their respective categories at an all-island awards ceremony in 2012 where one category winner will also be crowned overall ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011’. Entries will close on Wednesday, 30th November, and the Provincial Award Winners will be announced at award ceremonies in January and February 2012.

Provincial and category winners will receive a specially commissioned award, local and national PR opportunities, entry into the national awards and a dedicated profile page on the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards website.

Over 400 businesses, North and South, entered last year’s awards, where Belfast based scientific digital camera company, Andor Technology, was awarded the ‘International Business Award’ and crowned ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2010’.

Speaking at the launch of the 2011 awards, Declan Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Business Banking, Ulster Bank said, “The 2010 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards received a record number of entries. Despite ongoing economic difficulties, success stories are stemming from businesses across all sectors throughout the island of Ireland. The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards was established to acknowledge business success and reward companies who have displayed exceptional determination and innovation whilst battling to stay ahead of their competitors. These businesses are an exceptional example to others and their achievements must be recognised.”

Nicola Byrne, founder of Call 11890 Ltd, is Chair of the Judging Panel. She says that initiatives like the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards are very valuable to the business community. “There is so much to be positive about in the business community here in Ireland – entrepreneurs are setting up new businesses every day; small businesses are becoming medium enterprises and companies are diversifying, entering new markets and going from strength to strength. Recognising the role that is played by businesses across the country is an important part of creating a good business culture and I look forward to getting to know the many businesses that will enter the awards this year.”

Maeve Dineen, Business Editor with the Irish Independent, said: “Highlighting the achievements of Irish businesses and showcasing success stories, helps to boost confidence among both customers and other businesses. We also provide a platform which, in turn, exposes these business achievers to a large and diverse audience of potential customers and investors.

The 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achiever will receive a comprehensive reward package including a publishing bursary with the Irish Independent, business mentoring, a full service communications workshop, as well as much positive national and regional PR coverage.

For further information and to enter your business in the 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards, go to www.businessachieversaward.com

If you have any questions about the simply get in touch via the discussion boards or private mail Business Achievers Awards profile and we’ll come straight back to you. Perhaps you were one of our lucky provincial or national award winners and would like to share your story? Please do get in touch. The group will be running until after the GALA awards night in April and we’d be delighted for you to be part of this.  Join today – there’s no fee and it’s a great source of support for your business.

Established in 2004, The Galway Clinic aims to improve cancer care services in the west of Ireland. The company provides services from the highest calibre of health care professionals. The clinic is particularly recognised for introducing radiotherapy, open heart surgery and robotic assisted surgery.

Currently employing 520 people, The Galway Clinic is committed to excellence in patient care. The company focuses on a one tier level of service whereby both public and privately insured patients are treated equally.

Country Crest was established in 1994 by Michael and Gabriel Hoey. Due to a decline in the consumption of whole potatoes around the turn of the millennium, the Hoey brothers pioneered a new range of value added potato and vegetable meal accompaniments such as par-cooked baby potatoes and baked potatoes with assorted fillings. Country Crest is also one of the largest manufacturers of chilled wholesome prepared meals in Ireland and has a significant brand presence in all of the main supermarkets under the “From the Farm” range.

In 2007, Country Crest took on the challenge of growing onions in Ireland and now produces 70-75% of the national onion crop. The company has secured partnerships with Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, Cully & Sully, Marks & Spencer, Musgrave Retail Partners, Spar, Londis and Topaz.

Country Crest places a strong emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy. Since 2009, the company has installed a wind turbine and is currently implementing a bio-gas system to use waste from production as an energy source. Country Crest currently produces 75,000 meals every week with a clear environmental conscience.

Established in 2002, privately owned Clearpower Ltd. is Ireland’s leading bio-energy and organic waste management company. They create renewable energy in the form of heat or electricity using products such as wood chip, wood pellets and organic waste.

Clearpower Ltd. has the exclusive Irish agency for three of the pre-eminent wood fuelled boiler manufacturers in Europe: Köb, Heizomat and Compte.

The company also provides heating and power installations and solutions, wood fuel, operation and maintenance, organic waste remediation and software services and consultancy. Clearpower Ltd. also has an in-house team specialising in bio-energy technology. The company’s clients include BSkyB, London Olympic Stadium, UCD, NUIG, the HSE, OPW, IKEA and many county councils. They currently employ 60 people.