Irish Country Meats Win 2013 Business Award of the Year

On a night of triumph almost 500 business people from across County Wexford celebrated the fifth annual Wexford Business Awards in Whites of Wexford on Friday, 14th June.

The awards paid honour to those businesses who excel in their industry and who represent the talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism needed to succeed.
The fifth annual Wexford Business Awards saw a record number of entries making the 2013 awards the most competitive ever held in Wexford. Shortlisted finalists ranged from start-ups to family businesses and well-known companies including retailers, manufacturers, training providers, tourism operators and tech businesses.
Winners and runners up in all 15 categories were announced in addition to the overall Wexford Business of the Year Award.  This award was sponsored by Wexford County Council and both Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Kathleen Codd Nolan and County Manager Adrian Doyle presented the 2013 Wexford Business of the Year to Irish County Meats.
Irish Country Meats demonstrated excellence in all aspects of manufacturing, and success in securing and building new export markets. The award citation described Irish Country Meats “as the largest sheepmeat processor on the island of Ireland with a reputation for product quality and innovation, both in the domestic and broader European marketplace. It currently services 26 markets worldwide”.

Joe Hyland, Managing Director at Irish Country Meats said, “We are truly delighted & honoured to have received the overall Wexford Business of the Year award, in addition to retaining two of the most prestigious accolades, Wexford International Exporter & Wexford Manufacturing Award.   This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the strength and success of our business.  The awards offer the ideal platform for industry to recognise and celebrate the quality, entrepreneurialism and innovation of businesses throughout County Wexford and we at Irish Country Meats are very proud to be part of such a vibrant and talented business community.”

Irish Country Meats also won the Wexford International Export Award sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and were joint winners of the Wexford Manufacturing Award sponsored by Waters Technologies.  Delaney Concrete was joint winner along with Irish Country Meats of the Wexford Manufacturing Award.
A number of other businesses took home a haul of awards including Kelly’s Resort Hotel and the Irish National Heritage Park who both won Wexford Tourism Awards sponsored by Rosslare Europort.  Innovate won the Technology, Enterprise & Innovatation Award sponsored by Done Deal with VoiceGrid taking the Emerging New Business Award sponsored by Enniscorthy Enterprise & Technology Centre. 
Pure Oil Ltd won the Small Business Award sponsored by Wexford County Enterprise Board and will now go forward to represent County Wexford at the National Enterprise Awards later in the year. 
Notable success stories at the awards included Wexford Bus who won the Wexford Customer Service Excellence Award sponsored by AIB Bank and who were highly commended in the Technology, Enterprise & Innovation Award.  Hynes Jewellers won the Wexford Retail Award sponsored by Zurich Insurances and were runner up in the Wexford Social Contribution Award sponsored by Wexford Borough Council.  This award was won by Joe Fallon Design.   Sheridan Insurances sponsored the Wexford Employer of the Year Award which was won by Done Deal. 
Wexford Green Award went to M & T Plant Hire sponsored by the EPA, Wexford Service Provider Award went to Proserve Solutions sponsored by Datapac and Wexford Food Producers Award sponsored by Danone Baby Nutrition was won by Atlantis Seafoods Wexford.  The two final awards were Wexford Training Award which was won by CTEC and sponsored by RIKON and Wexford Community Enterprise Award won by 1798 Centre and sponsored by Wexford Local Development.
Commenting on the success of the 2013 Wexford Business Awards Madeleine Quirke, CEO, Wexford Chamber said, “All of the award winners and indeed highly commended runner up nominees have demonstrated innovation, entrepreneurialism and determination. It is these qualities that have enabled many Wexford businesses to stand out from the crowd, to innovate and outperform in very tough market conditions. Despite the challenges the evidence is very clear Wexford is home to businesses who know how to adapt and thrive. This has been recognised by all our sponsors who believe that Wexford is a fantastic place to do business. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the businesses who took part in the awards and wish them continued success.”
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