Celebrations at County Wexford Business Awards 2018
Clayton Whites Hotel
25th May 2018
The County Wexford Business Awards 2018 took place last Friday 25th May and it was a sell-out event, with almost 500 guests attending the stylish black tie awards ceremony dinner at The Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford. Sponsored by Wexford County Council, the EPA, Wexford People and supported by many national, regional and local organisations, this event is the largest of its kind in the county.
View the 2018 Winners & Runners-Up HERE
Special guests included Major of Wexford Councillor Jim Moore, Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe TD. Minister of State at the Dept of Finance and Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform Michael D’Arcy TD, Leader of the Labour Party Brendan Howlin TD, County Councillors, Deputy Chief Executive, Wexford County Council Tony Larkin, Regional Manager with IDA Ireland Brendan McDonald, South East Regional Development Manager Enterprise Ireland Brian Fives, Chamber Presidents Maree Lyng and Jim Hughes.
MC on the night was Colm O Regan who is the very funny and talented comedian, columnist and broadcaster. He has performed all over the world and writes for RTE 1 Drivetime, The Irish Examiner and the BBC world service. Colm’s good humour and wit was a perfect fit for the occasion of great celebration for the business community of Wexford and beyond.
Niall Reck, President of Wexford Chamber, said “I am delighted to see the exceptional calibre of businesses, business people, organisations and civic-minded people who are winners in our 10th Anniversary, County Wexford Chamber Business Awards. It is a great pleasure to applaud their success because they give Wexford the ability to compete on the national and international business platform. The Awards are about recognition of people and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to their businesses, operations and customer service. The winner of this year’s Wexford Chamber President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Business, Madeleine Quirke, recognises her dedication and commitment to Wexford town and district over 10 years – a very worthy winner of this award.”
Wexford Bus winners of E-Commerce Excellence Award and Service Industry Provider of the Year also took the covered Overall Business of the Year Award. Lorene Crowley, Commercial Director, Wexford Bus said “We are delighted to have received these awards especially when we were in the company of such a high calibre of organisations. Wexford Bus has a very strong team and each of the drivers, mechanics and office staff can be proud of these awards as everyone has contributed to the organisations success.”
The Wexford Arts Centre won the Social Enterprise Outstanding Achievement, Elizabeth Whyte commenting on the evening, said “We are thrilled!! Great recognition for the team and the artists that deliver the fantastic, creative activities programmes each year and thank you Enda and all her team for organising such a fantastic event.”
Another winner on the night was Reynaers Ltd. winner of SME of the Year 50+ Employees. and runner up for Wexford Operational Excellence Award. Managing Director, Pat Bevan said “We were delighted to receive this award, we feel it is a recognition by the Wexford business community of our contribution to the local economy and of our efforts to raise the profile of Wexford at home and abroad.”
Enda Kavanagh, CEO of Wexford Chamber, said “Congratulation to all the winners. Phenomenal results from a very high standard of applications. I believe that Wexford is a great county for business and has fantastic potential for growth ahead of it and can attract substantial investment in all areas. For business, tourism and education Wexford is up there with the best locations in the world.”
“The judging panel all commented on the exceptional quality of this year’s entries. Decisions were sometimes very hard to get agreement on and very close scoring in some cases. These companies are all winners, they put the heart and soul into Wexford and they are simply the best.” added Enda.
Tony Larkin, Deputy Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, said “There is great energy and positivity in Wexford at present and we are working to bring new changes and driving regional development. I would like to congratulate all the winners and I would like to commend the exemplary work done by Wexford Chamber in all that they do to encourage and support the business community here in Wexford.
Wexford Business of the Year Award Sponsored by Wexford County Council
WINNER: Wexford Bus
Wexford Outstanding Contribution to Business Award Sponsored by Monart Destination Spa
WINNER: Madeleine Quirke
Wexford Tourism Award – Visitor Attraction/Activity of the Year Award Sponsored by Rosslare Europort
WINNER: International Outdoor Adventure Centre & Camping Grounds
RUNNER UP: Club Choice Ireland
Wexford Tourism Award – Hospitality Provider of the Year Award Sponsored by Rosslare Europort
WINNER: Clayton Whites Hotel
RUNNER UP: Mary Barry’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant
Wexford Excellence in International Trade Award Sponsored by Rosslare Europort
WINNER: Kent Stainless
RUNNER UP: Medentech
Wexford Operational Excellence Award Sponsored by Datapac
WINNER: Pure Oil Ltd
RUNNER UP: Reynaers Ltd
Wexford eCommerce Excellence Award Sponsored by AIB Bank Wexford
WINNER: Wexford Bus
RUNNER UP: Mr Oil
Wexford Excellence in Retail Award Sponsored by Zurich Insurance
WINNER: Natural Health Store Ltd
RUNNER UP: Halo Tiles & Bathrooms
Wexford SME of the Year Award (1-50 Employees) Sponsored by Waters Technologies
WINNER: Summit Scaffolding Ltd
RUNNER UP: YellowBelly Bear
Wexford SME of the Year Award (50 + Employees) Sponsored by Pettitt’s SuperValu St. Aidans
WINNER: Reynaers Ltd
RUNNER UP: Kerlogue Nursing Home
Wexford Social Media and Digital Marketing Excellence Award Sponsored by Wexford People
WINNER: Nailbou
RUNNER UP: Talbot Suites at Stonebridge
Wexford Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Award Sponsored by BNY Mellon
WINNER: K & K Windows Ltd
RUNNER UP: Halo Tiles & Bathrooms
Wexford Social Enterprise Outstanding Achievement Award Sponsored by Wexford Local Development
WINNER: Wexford Arts Centre
RUNNER UP: Kilmore Quay Community Development Association CLG (KQCDA)
Wexford Start-Up Business of the Year Award Sponsored by Morgan McKinley/La Crème and Supported by LEO Wexford
WINNER: Abodoo
RUNNER UP: International Outdoor Adventure Centre & Camping Grounds
Wexford Family Business of the Year Award Sponsored by PwC
WINNER: K & K Windows Ltd
RUNNER UP: Smyths Arro
Wexford Training Provider of the Year Award Sponsored by Carlow IT Wexford Campus
WINNER: The Omnipro Group
RUNNER UP: Dulann
Wexford Service Industry Provider of the Year Award Sponsored by Danone Nutricia Wexford
WINNER: Wexford Bus
RUNNER UP: Fergus Flanagan Architects Ltd
Wexford Food & Beverage Producer of the Year Award Sponsored by Wright Insurance Brokers
WINNER: Trudies Kitchen Ltd
RUNNER UP: O’Neills Dry Cure Bacon Co.
Wexford Green Award: Environmental Best Practice Sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland
WINNER: The Upcycle Movement
RUNNER UP: Danone Nutricia Wexford
Wexford Franchise of the Year Award Sponsored by Permanent TSB
WINNER: Bricks 4 Kids Wexford
RUNNER UP: Sherry FitzGerald Haythornthwaite
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