A Clare-based electronic information display company, Data Display, has won the AIB Capital Markets/Irish Exporters' Association "Exporter of the Year" award. Employing more than 150 people at plants in Ennistymon and in Portsmouth, England, Data Display is Europe's largest producer of electronic information displays and one of the world's top five.
Mr Kevin Neville, managing director and founder of the 11-year-old company, said sales had risen from £3.5 million in 1995 to £16 million (€20.3 million) last year. With 92 per cent of company produce being exported, sales are expected to rise to £25 million this year. The displays are used in airports, hotels, banks, call centres and cinemas.
C&D Foods, the Co Longford-based pet food producer owned by the family of former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, received a special category award in food and agribusiness exporting. C&D, which employs more than 200 people, exports pet food to Sainsbury, Safeway and Somerfield and is expected to have a £30 million turnover this year.
A special category award for innovative marketing was presented to Mr Chris Kay, a Co Cork manufacturer of specialist transfers for the garment, automotive and promotions industry. Its customers include Arsenal FC, Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
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