Cork companies take the honours in business achievers awards

Cork companies figured prominently among the winners unveiled yesterday for the 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards.

While the overall award went to medical device manufacturer TG Eakin, Co Down, two Cork firms picked up category wins at the awards ceremony in Dublin.

Clonakilty Blackpudding was named winner of the Agriculture, Food & Drink award. And the O’Connell Group, based in Glanmire, won the Family-Run Business award.

Clonakilty Blackpudding was established in 1983 using a secret recipe and now manufactures a range of breakfast meats including black pudding, white pudding, rashers and sausages. The company recently launched a gluten-free range of black and white pudding.

The company’s main clients include Musgrave Group Ireland, Tesco Ireland, BWG and Dunnes Stores and it is growing steady in the British market, with further expansion planned in France, Germany, Spain, China and the US over the next five years. With 42 employees, Clonakilty Blackpudding has a turnover of €12m.

Established in 1974, the O’Connell Group is one of Ireland’s leading logistics companies with over 746,000 sq ft of warehousing and a large fleet of trucks and trailers, coupled with extensive container-handling facilities and a pallet manufacturing division. O’Connell Group is an export-driven business which delivers for its customers to over 84 countries. Its customers include global players in the food, pharmaceutical, chemicals and computer industries. O’Connell Group employs 49 people and has a turnover of €9.5m.