Four businesses from across Ireland have been shortlisted for the Local Business Award.
Four amazing Irish businesses are in the running for the Local Business Award in February.
The Local Business Award forms part of The Irish Times Business Awards in association with Bank of Ireland.
The four businesses include Co Clare’s Armada Hotel, Fíbín Media Teo in Galway, Cork-based National Beauty Distribution and Dublin transport company ATC Computer Transport & Logistics.
Here are profiles of the shortlisted businesses:
Armada Hotel
Armada Hotel, located in the picturesque Spanish Point, Co Clare, has established itself as one of Ireland’s premier hospitality destinations for over 55 years. Under the leadership of CEO John Burke, the hotel has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a strong commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences. Known for its stunning location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and its combination of modern amenities with traditional Irish hospitality, Armada Hotel has become a go-to destination for both leisure and business travellers.
With strategic investments in facilities, a focus on sustainable practices, and a robust expansion strategy, Armada Hotel has not only weathered the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic but has also experienced significant growth. Today, it is recognised for its outstanding service, luxurious accommodations, and its vital role in the local economy.
During the challenging period of Covid-19 and subsequent uncertain economic times, Armada Hotel under CEO John Burke demonstrated resilience and agility in adapting to new circumstances. The hotel took proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its guests while maintaining business continuity.
One key strategy was the introduction of flexible booking policies to accommodate guests’ changing plans and concerns about travel restrictions. This adaptability ensured that guests felt confident in booking their stays, even amidst ongoing uncertainty. Additionally, the hotel prioritised hygiene and safety measures, adopting enhanced cleaning protocols and offering contactless check-in and check-out options, aligning with industry standards and building guest trust.
In response to the reduced demand for international travel, Armada Hotel pivoted to focus more on the staycation market. It capitalised on the growing trend of domestic tourism by offering attractive packages for Irish residents looking for local getaways. The hotel also promoted its scenic location and outdoor activities, such as hiking, golfing, and surfing, which allowed guests to enjoy a safe, socially distanced holiday experience.
Despite the economic challenges, Armada Hotel continued to invest in its long-term growth. The €3m redevelopment project, which created 100 new jobs, was a clear example of the hotel’s commitment to reinvestment and future-proofing its operations. By diversifying its services and targeting a broader customer base, including corporate clients and event bookings, Armada Hotel successfully navigated the economic downturn and set the stage for recovery post-pandemic.
In 2023, Armada Hotel reported record revenues of €13.23m, marking a 13% increase from €11.69m in 2022. Operating profits rose by 18% to €2m during the same period.
ATC Computer Transportation and Logistics
ATC Computer Transportation and Logistics is a leader in specialised transport, logistics, and technical services. It supports hyperscale data centre operators, freight forwarders, co-location providers, and SaaS companies with a comprehensive range of solutions to support their unique requirements. These include secure transportation, pre-cabling, structured cabling, hardware installation, secure warehousing, and sustainable green logistics, decommissioning and recycling.
ATC Computer Transport & Logistics, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Ireland, is a European leader in data centre logistics and technical services. The company offers a broad range of solutions, including secure transport, warehousing, white glove delivery, rack installation, cabling, and data centre relocation and decommissioning. ATC supports hyperscale and colocation data centres, cloud computing companies, and rack manufacturers across Europe. Known for its precision and reliability, ATC is a trusted partner in the data centre industry.
ATC Logistics has consistently demonstrated a willingness to embrace challenges and exploit opportunities, as evidenced by several strategic initiatives and achievements.
One of the most significant examples of ATC’s forward-thinking approach is its landmark €22.5m investment in its “Driving Green Strategy” over five years. This strategy involves transitioning its HGV fleet from traditional combustion engines to battery-electric power. It represents one of Ireland’s largest private investments in zero tailpipe emission transportation and positions ATC as a global leader in the Green Logistics sector. This move reflects ATC’s readiness to embrace the challenges of sustainability and the decarbonisation of logistics, seizing the opportunity to align with global environmental goals and build a competitive edge in the market.
Fíbín Media Teo
Fíbín is Ireland’s largest and most active Irish-language theatre company, renowned for its innovative and creative productions that bring new and classic Irish writing to life. Established in 2003, the company has produced over 40 productions, particularly focusing on engaging children and young audiences at primary, secondary, and third levels. Fíbín is celebrated for its unique style, incorporating elements such as puppetry, mime, masks, and multimedia to create dynamic and visually captivating performances.
Meangadh Fibin Teo (T/A Fibin Media) – was established in 2008 by Darach O’Tuairisg (90% owner) and Micheal O’Domhnaill (10% owner) as a result of the success of their sister company, Fibin Teo, a theatre company based in Connemara which they themselves founded in 2003 (same ownership structure as Fibin Media). Darach and his wife Rhona are both directors.
The original concept behind Fibin Teo’s creation was to produce high quality, imaginative theatre in Irish for young people. Fibin were approached by national broadcasters TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland about transferring their content to television as it was felt that Fibin Teo’s style was very suited to the small screen.
Fibin Media was then established to look after the television and film production end of the business.
The company is located in the heart of picturesque Connemara next door to TG4. It has 12 people employed on a full-time basis and freelance staff brought in for each project produced by the company. They place an emphasis on employing people with extensive experience to ensure the quality of their product offering.
As a result Fibin Media has developed a reputation for quality and insightful productions and amongst its client base are TG4, RTE, NUIG, BBC NI, RTE Raidio and Raidio na Gaeltachta. Their programmes are also on Amazon Prime and National Geographic Kids channels.
Fibin Media has become synonymous with children’s live action television. Darach believes that there is far too much emphasis on cartoons and from a psychological growth point of view children need to see other children as opposed to all cartoon characters. Initially children’s TV was all about live action but then it swung to animation and cartoons and he now sees signs that this is being reversed.
Strategically, having their own in-house studio assists Fibin Media in capitalising the continued growth in this sector.
The company has sold its content around the world from the USA to UAE and with S481 Film Finance relief it is extremely attractive which effectively bring 32% towards the production budgets for TV/Film producers on Irish spend.
Recognising the industry’s shift towards digital platforms, Fíbín Media has embraced digital transformation by producing content for online streaming services and engaging with audiences through social media channels. This strategic move has enabled the company to reach a broader audience and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The global pandemic posed significant challenges for the media sector, including production delays and audience engagement disruptions. Fíbín Media responded by implementing health and safety protocols to continue production safely and by exploring virtual events and online content distribution to maintain audience engagement during lockdowns. The company premiered “Fiach,” Ireland’s first drive-in drama, written by Philip Doherty. This creative approach allowed audiences to experience live theatre safely from their vehicles, showcasing Fíbín’s commitment to making theatre accessible despite challenging circumstances.
Fíbín’s collaborations with prominent directors, artists, and venues have expanded its reach, allowing it to tour nationally and internationally, including performances in Britain, Europe, the US, Canada, and Africa. Such activities have contributed to the company’s growth and sustainability in the competitive arts sector.
National Beauty Distribution
National Beauty Distribution (NBD), based in Cork, Ireland, has emerged as a force in the beauty and cosmetics industry. Kieran Walsh is the CEO and driving force behind National Beauty Distribution. With a vision to connect Irish consumers with premium global brands, Walsh has built a portfolio that includes KEVIN.MURPHY, ELEVEN Australia, Living Proof, and Aveda. In addition to distributing global brands, NBD also develops homegrown successes, including Bare by Vogue, Sundae and Luna by Lisa Jordan, which have become household names in Ireland.
NBD offers marketing, PR, and distribution services to over 2,000 Irish retailers, combining a deep understanding of the beauty industry with innovation and customer focus. NBD exemplifies the potential of an Irish business with a global vision. By blending strategic innovation, sustainability, and meaningful community contributions, NBD has established itself as not only a market leader but also a responsible corporate citizen in Ireland’s beauty industry. Their consistent focus on quality and community ensures that their impact goes beyond business, enriching the lives of their customers and the local areas they serve.
NBD has effectively navigated expansion into new markets and thrived even during the challenging times of Covid-19.
By diversifying its approach and expanding into new markets through both digital channels and strategic partnerships, National Beauty was able to sustain growth during difficult times and emerge stronger post-pandemic.
Its homegrown brand, Sundae, exemplifies this innovative spirit. Vogue Williams’ Bare by Vogue collaboration, which transformed Bere Island into “Bare Island” for a high-profile campaign, is a masterclass in creating viral brand moments. This initiative not only boosted Bare By Vogue’s visibility but also highlighted NBD’s ability to merge product promotion with cultural relevance, engaging local communities in unique ways.
In 2018, the company reported revenues of €2m. By 2024, projections indicate a substantial increase, with revenues expected to reach €24m, reflecting a twelvefold growth over six years.
This impressive expansion can be attributed to strategic partnerships with celebrity figures and the introduction of new brands, which have enhanced NBD’s market presence and consumer appeal. The company’s workforce has also grown to support this expansion, now employing over 75 full-time staff, including sales representatives, educators, administrative personnel, and marketing professionals.
NBD’s success is further underscored by its extensive distribution network, supplying products to more than 2,000 retailers across Ireland. This broad reach has solidified its position as a leading importer and wholesaler in the Irish beauty and cosmetics industry.
Main image at top: Main image at top: Rainer Hoerbst, Head of Green Logistics at ATC; Lize Simon, Senior Account Manager at ATC; Alan Young, Founder and Director at ATC; and Keith Young, Managing Director at ATC
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
