Sonna firm wins 'All-Ireland All-Star Family Run Business' title
(Above) Niall, Oliver and Fergal Conroy.
A local firm has won the title of All-Ireland All-Star Family Run Business 2020.
Oliver Conroy Pallets has achieved a quality mark signifying it meets the highest standards of service and trust.
The business began in Sonna and now has an office and depot in Dublin, and is approaching 70 years as a supplier of wooden and heat-treated pallets in Ireland and the UK.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Fergal Conroy, CEO, said: “This is a great achievement for our company, as the accreditation process is overseen by the All-Ireland Business Foundation, and is conducted via feedback from our customers, employees and vendors, whose opinion matters most to us.”
Mr Conroy said the accreditation is a testament to the hardworking team of employees in his organisation, who constantly strive towards high standards.
“It is special to be honoured with the named accreditation of All Ireland All Star Family Run Business 2020, as we are coming up on a major milestone of our 70th year in business."
The original founder still involved in the firm, and a third generation is now working there too.
"We have invested heavily in our business processes and in particular, in lean manufacturing principles, incorporating the latest storage system technology in the elimination of waste," Mr Conroy said.
"We are proud to say that we have not sent any pallets to landfill in more than 20 years. Every year, we repair and reuse 1,600,000 pallets, so it is great to get this recognition for our efforts.”
The Business All Star Award is an independently verified standard mark whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.
Dr Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by more than 350 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.
“We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors,” she said. “We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience.
“The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”
The All-Ireland Business Foundation is responsible for overseeing the All-Ireland Business Summit and All-Star awards, ongoing All-Star accreditation, Thought Leader awards and promoting peer dialogue among members.