Comment from the chair
I am delighted to offer my congratulations to all the 2018 finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards programme. Now in their fourteenth year, these awards celebrate achievement, innovation and excellence amongst small firms and it is these very qualities that are evident in the companies featured in this special awards supplement.
All the companies presented here are amongst the best in Irish small business. These companies, each of which employs fewer than 50 people, represent a wide range of business sectors, right throughout Ireland. From reading their success stories you will no doubt be inspired by their drive, constant innovation and commitment to growth.
The people involved here are truly representative of the diversity of entrepreneurship in Ireland, from new high-tech companies to established and traditional family-run businesses.
Given the right environment, these companies will play a significant part in delivering the additional 25,000 jobs that the Small Firms Association expects to be created by small businesses in 2018. These companies will also provide much encouragement to others who are thinking about taking the entrepreneurial leap.
We are fortunate now that our economy is experiencing growth. This doesn’t mean we can become complacent however, as the biggest challenge our small businesses are facing is a loss of competitiveness. To address this and create the right environment for all small businesses, we need to urgently develop a strategy for growth for Irish small business, with special focus on tax competitiveness and the cost of doing business.
The businesses profiled here have availed of a fantastic programme to date as part of the SFA National Small Business Awards. As well as receiving extensive media and PR benefits from becoming a finalist, all these companies have received a subsidised training package and a strategic management masterclass weekend.
All the businesses have showcased their products and services at the SFA Business Connect event which brought together 350 companies at a networking event between large and small businesses.
In conclusion, I would like to thank our sponsors and judges for their continued support in making the entire awards programme possible. Our sponsors are AIB, Bord Bia, DHL, Energia, Enterprise Ireland, IE Domain Registry, Skillnets, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Three.
Our very hard-working judges include: Mairead Cirillo of Environmental Business Advice; Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting; Barry McCleary of Megazyme International; Donal O’Donovan from the Irish Independent; Brian O’Kane of Oaktree Press; and Professor Frank Roche of Dublin Business Innovation Centre.
I wish all the finalist companies the best of luck tonight at the gala ceremony and in the future. Sue O’Neill SFA chair