Two Tipperary Finalists Announced in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2016
The finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2016 have been officially announced by AJ Noonan, SFA Chairman and Chair of the Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland, and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.
35 companies have been selected as finalists, from 16 different counties, across seven categories. Out of the 35 finalists, two Tipperary based companies have been nominated for awards. Wood Energy Solutions, the largest dedicated biomass boiler manufacturer in Britain and Ireland, has made the shortlist for the Innovator of the Year Award. Ryans Cleaning, the leading provider of commercial cleaning for events in Ireland, has been nominated in the Sustainability category sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
“The response to the awards programme serves as a reminder that Irish small companies are resilient, putting their best foot forward and seeking recognition for their efforts” commented AJ Noonan, SFA Chairman and Chair of the Awards Judging Panel. “As well as our seven award categories we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years established) and I must say that given the quality of the businesses represented this year, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland,” stated AJ Noonan.
“The SFA National Small Business Awards are now entering their twelfth year and I could not be more proud to be part of such a prestigious awards programme. The companies that have been announced as finalists this year represent all that is good about small business. The people behind these companies are dynamic, diligent and determined,” said AJ Noonan.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, who is Patron of the Awards, stated that: “As a passionate supporter of small firms I, on behalf of the Government, am delighted to support the SFA Awards. Small firms support the vast majority of jobs in all parts of our country and are leading our recovery. The Awards provide an opportunity to highlight the success of our small firms as they support our recovery by seeking out new markets and new opportunities. Supporting our small firms is essential to the Government’s strategy of securing the recovery and spreading it to every part of the country.”
The Awards prize package for ALL finalists includes an exhibition stand at the SFA National Small Business Showcase in February 2016, a strategic management masterclass weekend, a voucher for a Skillnets ManagementWorks management team/CEO course, as well as broad-ranging national and local media coverage, valued at €50,000.
Finalists also receive five complementary tickets to the Gala prize giving ceremony which will take place in March 2016 when the category winners and overall winner will be announced. The category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association, and the Overall Winner will also receive a bursary of €5,000 to present to a charity of their choice (funded by the 2013 Overall Winner, Megazyme International Ireland).
