Wicklow People

Smarter Surfaces chosen as a finalist for SFA ‘Exporter of the Year‘ Award

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AN Arklow man’s business has been chosen as a finalist in the 2020 Small Firms Associatio­n (SFA) Business Awards.

Founded by Arklow native Ronan Clarke, the Dublin-based Smarter Surfaces has been shortliste­d in the category of ‘Exporter of the Year’.

The SFA Awards celebrate small businesses for their achievemen­ts and contributi­ons to the Irish business sector.

Ronan Clarke said he is ‘delighted to be shortliste­d. We have a large number of customers from a variety of industries including AirBnB, NASA and Reebok and we are continuing to grow our direct sales, distributi­on partners and ecommerce websites, which are currently in five different languages. We are committed to delivering innovation through functional surfaces and coatings, with this latest shortlist supporting our achievemen­ts in the sector.’

Smarter Surfaces products have won a number of awards at events including the Active Office Awards 2018, the PWC Innovation Awards and the Ulster Bank Business Awards.

Smarter Surfaces produce surface solutions that add functional­ity to surfaces and export internatio­nally to countries such as the USA, Australia, Germany and Kenya.

‘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,’ said Sue O’Neill, SFA chair and Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel.

‘As well as our eight award categories, we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years establishe­d) and, given the quality of the businesses represente­d this year, entreprene­urship is alive and well in Ireland.’

The gala SFA Awards ceremony will take place in the RDS in Dublin on March 12.

 ??  ?? Ronan Clarke.
Ronan Clarke.

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