The people behind two thriving rural Westmeath companies have been recognised at the highest national level with nominations for prestigious entrepreneur and enterprise awards.
Green Farm Foods in Glenlough, Rathowen and Gannon Eco, Ballinagore, Kilbeggan have been nominated for Ireland’s top awards, a unique double for a pair of local family businesses.
Ken Greene, who built Green Farm Foods from scratch, is a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015. Meanwhile, Gannon Eco will be representing Westmeath at the 2015 National Enterprise Awards.
KEEPING IT GREENE
Established in 1991 by Kenneth Greene, Green Farm supplies customers with a range of fresh packed meats. In just a few years they have become Ireland’s brand leaders in pre-packed sliced and torn meats, with their range made from only natural ingredients.
As well as leading the way with their own branding, they also supply all major multiples, discounters and convenience retail groups including Dunnes, Tesco, Musgrave stores, BWG, Spar, Mace, Londis, Aldi, Lidl and the Barry Group. 70% of their sales are domestic with 30% export.
Speaking to Topic, MD Kenneth Green said, “I am delighted to be a finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015. It will be fantastic to be involved in the programme over the next few months.” Next month, he and all other nominees will be in Berlin and Munich for a CEO retreat.
He said the nomination was “somewhat of a surprise, to be honest! Nominations are private through EY, but it is great to get the hard work of the business recognised.”
The nomination, says Ken modestly, is all down to the work of the 160 employees at the Rathowen facility. “Like in every company, there is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes every day, and it is great to have this work recognised on a national scale. Producing and delivering honest good food with care and attention is the result of the work of our passionate team. We place quality and integrity at the centre of what we do. We employ great people and we work as a united team which is the reason behind the company’s success.”
A total of 24 businesses were selected as finalists across three categories – emerging, industry and international. The winners will be announced in October 2015.
GANNON ECO
Ballinagore company, Gannon Eco, will be representing the Westmeath Local Enterprise Office at 2015 National Enterprise Awards.
The competition is now in its 18th year and has a €20,000 prize fund on offer, aiming to recognise the impressive achievements of small local businesses throughout the country.
Only recently formed, Gannon Eco, who are located near Kilbeggan, is an environmental solution provider for non- hazardous industrial wastes. Services include on-site waste management solutions, waste logistics, waste reprocessing, waste recycling and waste research. Wastes accepted at Gannon Eco are reprocessed for use in products manufactured at their facility or as raw material for industry.
The Head of Enterprise with Westmeath Christine Charlton paid tribute to Gannon Eco, saying they have shown themselves to be “resilient, innovative and proactive.” She says the National Enterprise Awards put local business success stories on the map.
The winners will be announced on June 11th at Dublin’s Royal Hospital, Kilmainham and the overall winner will represent Ireland at a European ceremony later in the year.
GUEST TALK
Meanwhile, people involved in the IT sector are in for a treat on Tuesday next, as Dean Gammell CEO DG Ventures Limited, Winner of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, will be guest speaker at the MIT Mullingar monthly meetup on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30pm in the Old Reading Room in the Annebrook House Hotel.
Dean will be giving a talk on the ups and downs of starting and growing a successful international online business from the midlands.
The talk is open to MIT members and the public, but places are limited; please contact MIT on their LinkedIn Group page or email mit@cookieweb.ie if you would like to attend.
