A number of leading Irish companies have been included in a ranking of inspirational European firms compiled on behalf of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The inaugural 1,000 Companies to Inspire Europe report is being launched at the European Parliament in Brussels today. It identifies the fastest-growing firms on the continent and aims to highlight their importance to growth and job creation.
Overall, 21 Irish companies are identified, including technical and engineering firm LotusWorks, which last month announced plans for 100 jobs in the next year at its Sligo headquarters.
Other Irish firms cited in the report include Ardmac, Ward & Burke Construction, Dixons Investment Group and Radley Engineering.
More than one-quarter of the Irish firms selected were operating in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
The companies chosen for the study were identified by financial data specialist Bureau van Dijk using key performance indicators and sector benchmarks. The Irish companies selected were found to be generating revenues of €57 million and expanding at about 18 per cent a year. The firms were also creating on average 27 per cent annual job growth.
“The companies . . are all remarkable examples of European hard work and entrepreneurship. They come from all 28 EU countries,” said the UK’s European commissioner Lord Hill.
“This report gives these companies the recognition they deserve. But more than that, I hope that by providing investors with a selection of companies with great potential, “1,000 Companies to Inspire Europe” will make it easier for them to find opportunities and channel investment to SMEs that want to grow and compete in bigger markets,” he added.
