13 new businesses have been awarded the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies (BMC) accolade at the 16th annual awards programme. This year, Deloitte recognised 129 indigenous companies at the awards, representing 28 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland.
The network of companies has a combined turnover of more than €15 billion and provide employment to over 45,000 people across a range of sectors from technology and healthcare to construction.
A thorough judging process precedes the recognition each year, evaluating the entire management team and the business strategy of each company. The judges examine a wide range of areas when assessing Ireland’s top privately-owned businesses, such as a business’ environmental, social and governance standards, strategic planning and talent strategy.
The 13 newly qualified companies are: Active8 Solar Energies, Ashdale Care, Coen Steel Limited, Ethos Engineering, MCO, Mergon Group, Mivan, Mowlam Healthcare, S&W Wholesale, Sisk Group, United Hardware, Western Motors and Writech.
Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme, said: “The Irish economic growth story has been extraordinary, and we see this evidenced in the success of Irish indigenous businesses and the confidence shown by Best Managed Companies. Ensuring Ireland’s entrepreneurs and the companies they start get the support they need to grow and scale is crucial.”
Cathy Bryce, Managing Director, AIB Capital Markets, said: “AIB is proud to be the new lead sponsors of Ireland’s Best Managed companies. One of AIB’s core ambitions is to support Irish companies and their management teams in sustainable growth and development, something which is fully aligned with the goals of the BMC programme.”
A total of 116 companies requalified as a Best Managed Company. 19 of these achieved Gold Standard (four years as a BMC) and 12 achieved Platinum Standard (seven years as a BMC). Fexco won the Family Business Award.
The members of this year’s judging panel were:
- Frank Ryan, former Chairman of the Board of IDA Ireland and Chair of BMC judging panel
- Cathy Bryce, Managing Director, AIB Capital Markets
- Ellvena Graham OBE, Non-Executive Director & Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland
- Feargal Mooney, Non-Executive Director and former CEO of Hostelworld
- Lionel Alexander, Chair Intact Software and Non-Executive Director
- Orla O’Gorman, Non-Executive Director and former Head of Listing at Euronext
- Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
- Sarah Murphy, CEO of Business Post
New Winners
| Company | County |
| Active8 Solar Energies | Monaghan |
| Ashdale Care | Monaghan |
| Coen Steel Limited | Galway |
| Ethos Engineering | Dublin |
| MCO | Dublin |
| Mergon Group | Westmeath |
| Mivan | Antrim |
| Mowlam Healthcare | Limerick |
| S&W Wholesale | Down |
| Sisk Group | Dublin |
| United Hardware | Dublin |
| Western Motors | Galway |
| Writech | Westmeath |
The Gold Standard (four years as a Best Managed Company) winners are:
| Company | County |
| BidX1 | Dublin |
| Camile Thai Kitchen Ltd | Dublin |
| Clonakilty Food Co | Cork |
| DigitalWell | Dublin |
| Dowds Group | Antrim |
| Errigal Group | Monaghan |
| Fortus Group | Dublin |
| H&MV Engineering Limited | Limerick |
| Instantor | Dublin |
| Keltech | Waterford |
| Mannok | Fermanagh |
| Modubuild | Kilkenny |
| MPA Recruitment | Derry |
| Stafford Lynch | Dublin |
| The Brennan and Co Group | Dublin |
| Toga Group | Dublin |
| Totalmobile | Antrim |
| Triangle Technology Services | Dublin |
| Windsor Motor Group | Dublin |
The Platinum Winners (seven years as a Best Managed Company) are:
| Company | County |
| Around Noon | Down |
| Codd Mushrooms Ltd | Carlow |
| Creagh Concrete | Antrim |
| Dennison Trailers | Kildare |
| EDGE Innovate | Tyrone |
| GES Group | Antrim |
| GSLS | Dublin |
| LotusWorks | Sligo |
| Ocuco | Dublin |
| Phonovation | Dublin |
| PlanNet21 | Dublin |
| The Merrion Hotel | Dublin |