Monaghan Companies Lead The Way at Irish Export Industry Awards

Monaghan Companies Lead The Way at Irish Export Industry Awards

Silver Hill Duck, Combilift & Entekra All Winners in Respective Categories

Dublin, 8 November 2019: The Irish Exporters Association, the voice of the Export Industry in Ireland, on Friday night announced the winners of the 2019 Export Industry Awards. Silver Hill Duck, Combilift & Entekra all scooped awards in their respective categories making it a clean sweep for Monaghan-based companies. With 12 high-profile companies winning awards across the 12 categories, this year saw one of the most competitive processes in the Awards’ history. Now in its 19^th year, the Irish Exporters Association’s Export Industry Awards is the premier event for recognising the achievements of Irish Exporters. The black-tie Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner was attended by 500 export industry professionals, local and international dignitaries and was moderated by PJ Gallagher.

Silver Hill Duck won Food & Drink Exporter of the Year. Founded over 55 years ago Silver Hill currently export its premium duck & duck products to over 24 countries around the world from its base in Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. The business is 70% export led with the UK, Holland, Germany, Singapore & Hong Kong listed as just some of their growth markets. This growth has led to the creation of 80 new jobs since 2013 to bring the total to 240 employees, and the addition of 24 contract farmers north and south of the border. Managing Director Micheál Briody stated “Silver Hill Duck pride ourselves on being a strong export oriented company so it is especially rewarding to win this prestigious IEA award for our hard working team. Our success in international markets especially Asia gives us great confidence that our unique duck is indeed the best Peking Duck in the world and will ensure we continue to endeavour to gain larger market share in those markets in the coming months and years”

Combilift was awarded Export Innovation of the Year. Regarded as the largest global manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts, Combilift has sold more than 45,000 units in the last 20 years and export to over 85 countries globally. Employing more than 600 people Combilift occupies a brand new, purpose-built facility spanning 46,500 m² in Co. Monaghan, making it a pillar for local employment. CEO and co-founder of Combilift Martin McVicar acknowledged the ongoing support from the Irish Exporters Association; “Combilift invest 7% of turnover into R&D and are delighted to be recognised for this prestigious Export Innovation Award. The Irish Exporters Association have assisted Combilift’s export growth over the last decade and have been very supportive recently in our application for Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) customs status and supporting our Trade Compliance Specialist to complete the Certificate in International Trade”

 

Entekra scooped the prestigious Services Exporter of The Year beating stiff competition from other export companies such as Ardmac in Dublin & Wisetek based in Co. Cork. Founded in late 2016, Entekra set out to transform how houses are built in the United States with its Fully Integrated Off-Site Solution™ (FIOSS™). The Technical staff located at the company’s new European headquarters in Monaghan Town oversees the critical Design and Engineering phase for every structure that is manufactured at its U.S. factory in Northern California. Given demand for Entekra’s services from America’s largest home builders, the number of employees based in Ireland, which is currently 40, is forecasted to rise to 200. CFO of Entekra Ireland Michael Treanor was delighted with the announcement. “Entekra has made significant inroads introducing FIOSS to the U.S. market as a technologically advanced approach to more rapidly build higher-quality homes. We are honoured to receive this award as it is a testament to the commitment of all our employees on both sides of the Atlantic to provide outstanding service to our customers.”