Three Waterford companies 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, Deloitte recognised 136 indigenous companies at the awards representing 25 of the 32 counties across Ireland.
Amongst the winning companies this year was Relatecare having been recognised for the first time. Cliff House Hotel and Keltech were requalifying winners for the eighth and second consecutive years respectively.
This is the first year where the awards programme returned as an in-person event following the pandemic and culminated with a gala awards ceremony at The Convention Centre Dublin.
The network of companies has a combined turnover of €13.9 billion providing over 51,000 jobs across Ireland across a range of sectors – from retail and hospitality to manufacturing and construction. The companies received recognition following a detailed judging process that evaluates the entire management team and business strategy in some of Ireland’s top privately owned businesses, looking beyond financial performance at areas such as a company’s environmental, social & governance standards, strategic planning and talent strategy.
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).
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.
Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland and judging panel member said: “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. 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.”
