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Comber-based company, TG Eakin Ltd, has been crowned the ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011’ at the all-island final of the awards, which took place at the Mansion House, Dublin.
The awards, now in their 18th year, attracted over 360 entries and are in association with the Belfast Telegraph, Irish Independent, Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and InterTradeIreland.
In a great night for Northern Ireland companies, Londonderry-based Budget Energy was also a winner, being presented with the Best Business Start-Up Award.
TG Eakin Ltd, which also won the International Business Award, manufactures medical devices for the ostomy and woundcare industry. These products are then distributed to 36 countries worldwide.
The County Down company was founded in 1974 by Tom Eakin, who is still Chairman of the Eakin Group. His two sons, Jeremy and Paul Eakin now manage the business with Jeremy as Managing Director of TG Eakin Ltd and Paul as Managing Director of Pelican Healthcare Ltd – a sister company in the Group. TG Eakin Ltd has grown into a hugely successful company with a turnover of over £23 million in 2011.
Each year, TG Eakin Ltd enhance their geographic reach and within the past 5 years, have set up new distribution channels in India, Poland, Hungary, Iran, Slovakia, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, South Korea, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Budget Energy is a new electricity supplier to the Northern Ireland market with a focus on low cost. Based in Londonderry, the company was established in 2011 by Eleanor and George Mc Evoy and currently employs 27 people. It currently has 10,300 customers and continues to acquire 1,400 new customers per month. By adopting a low overhead business model, the company aims to keep its low price promise. The company offers customers the option of paying by bill or a pay as you go keypad meter. In addition Budget Energy is now purchasing green energy from wind farms and anarobic digesters from local generators in Northern Ireland.
Along with TG Eakin Ltd, seven other leading businesses from across the island were named winners in their individual award categories.
The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards national winners are as follows:
Overall ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011’ – TG Eakin Ltd, County Down
Judges Special Recognition Award – Rosso Solini, Kildare
- Innovation & Emerging Technology Award – Cupprint Ltd, Clare
- International Business Award – TG Eakin Ltd, County Down
- Social Entrepreneurship Award – Pieta House C.P.S.O.S, Dublin
- Best Business Start-up Award – Budget Energy, Londonderry
- Family Run Business Award – O’Connell Group, Cork
- Green Business Award – Joule, Dublin
- Agriculture, Food & Drink Award – Clonakilty Blackpudding Ltd, Cork
- Service Business Award – Millmount Healthcare, Meath
Speaking at the all-island final awards ceremony, David Thomas, Managing Director of Corporate Markets, Ulster Bank said: “The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards recognise and reward business success. This year’s 32 all-island finalists represent 13 counties, employing over 2,000 people and have a combined annual turnover of over £150million. We see the incredible results stemming from SMEs across the island and we are wholly committed to supporting this sector. Our award winners are an inspiration to businesses throughout the island. I would like to congratulate them and I wish them every success in their future endeavours.”
Due to the high standard of entries and level of competition in the 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards, a ‘Judges Special Recognition Award’ was presented to Tara Haughton of Rosso Solini for her innovative design and setting the standard for youth entrepreneurship. Established in 2010 by then Transition Year student, Tara, Rosso Solini sells high-heel makeover kits with coloured soles – giving shoes a designer look and enabling women to match their soles to an outfit.
The Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011, TG Eakin Limited, will receive a comprehensive reward package including a publishing bursary with the Irish Independent, business mentoring, a full service communications workshop, as well as national and regional PR opportunities.
