Operational excellence across Ireland celebrated at 2023 awards ceremony

Gas Networks Ireland snapped up the grand prix award for overall operational excellence at the 2023 cross-sector Operational Excellence Awards. Other notable winners included Breedon Cement Ireland, which won the operations team of the year award, and Conor Baxter of Mannok, who won the operations manager/chief operating officer of the year award.

Breedon Cement Plant manager Garrett Ghee said: “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment of our entire team at our Kinnegad plant in Co Westmeath. Together we have consistently pushed the boundaries of excellence and achieved remarkable results.”

The winners were announced during a live awards ceremony held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Hotel, Santry, Dublin, on 15 June 2023, hosted by comedian and author Colm O’Regan.

The Irish Times, communications partner to the awards, was joined by gold sponsors ISS Facility Services Ireland and Sensori Facilities Management. Amárach Research also supported the 2023 awards.

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Peter Flanagan, director of finance at event sponsor ISS Facility Services Ireland, said: “ISS was delighted to sponsor the Operational Excellence Awards 2023. These awards are a celebration of individuals and organisations who make a difference within the business world, and I was delighted to see such a wealth of talent in attendance. All very worthy winners.”

Finalists represented at the award ceremony included Crannog Roofing, whose company director David Callaghan said: “The Opex 2023 Awards provided Crannog Roofing with an opportunity to network with similar construction industry business professionals and other businesses of different disciplines. Being an awards finalist is a great achievement and we are delighted that we have been considered as viable candidates.”

AllView Healthcare was another of this year’s victors, with chief executive Eoin O’Reilly saying: “We are thrilled to have received the prestigious operational excellence in healthcare award for 2023, and honoured to have been selected as a finalist for the overall operational excellence award. As a company dedicated to patient care, we tirelessly strive to enhance standards, resulting in heightened operational efficiency and enhanced service quality within the healthcare sector. Our endeavours have yielded greater accessibility to care services, reduced patient waiting times, and provided early diagnoses, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for countless patients.”

Another sponsor was Sensori Facilities Management, whose managing director, Mark Cullen, said: “Operational excellence is a relentless pursuit fuelled by dedication, innovation, and a commitment to surpassing expectations. It is the tireless efforts of individuals and teams that transform challenges into triumphs, setting new standards and inspiring greatness. As proud sponsors, Sensori FM is delighted to be part of recognising and rewarding those who have embraced the pursuit of operational excellence, embodied the spirit of continuous improvement, and those who are paving the way for future excellence.”

Another entrant to join the top step of the podium was Elis Pest Control, whose general manager, Darren O’Toole, said: “Elis Pest Control was delighted that the Operational Excellence Awards bestowed the innovation in operations award on Elis Connect. With over 40 years’ experience within pest control, the team and I recognised that there was an opportunity to create a smart pest control solution that would offer better protection to our customers. This resulted in the development of Elis Connect, using sensor technology and an algorithm to alert our technicians to when and where activity is happening onsite – and crucially what type of activity. Connect enables the sensor to differentiate a mouse from a spider. This detailed analysis ensures speedier responses – with no false alerts – enabling shorter resolution times, reductions in toxic bait and technicians onsite as needed, allowing for reduced carbon emissions. We are delighted to see all the hard work of our operations team recognised and look forward to providing Irish business with effective pest control solutions that are respectful of the environment and provide better protection, led by Elis Connect.”

Joining the winners was South Coast Logistics. Damien Healy, director, said: “South Coast Logistics is honoured to be recognised with the prestigious operational excellence award. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional logistics solutions to our valued clients. We owe this achievement to our talented and dedicated team.”

Another finalist was Rural Wifi, whose chief operating officer Grace Tooher said: “The awards acknowledge our team’s efforts at providing excellence. We’ve made a massive commitment to enhance the broadband experience in rural Ireland and this award solidifies this commitment and our continued success in the broadband industry.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes, Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2023 sponsors and professional partners, which include Sensori Facilities Management and ISS Facility Services Ireland. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of experts drawn from all areas of the sector.

Full list of judges:

1. Brian Coll (judging co-ordinator), lecturer, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo

2. Pauline Found, emeritus professor, lean operations management, University of Buckingham and lecturer, logistics and operations management, Cardiff University

3. Miriam Keogh, head of supply chain, lean and HR, Dawn Farm Foods Ltd

4. Deirdre Lennon, fundraising and corporate affairs manager, Cheshire Ireland

5. Dr Olivia McDermott, assistant professor, University of Galway

6. Jessica Minghinelli, director, partner operations, Salesforce

7. Ann-Marie O’Keeffe, operational excellence specialist, Laya Healthcare

8. Patrick Quinn, head of operations, Cheshire Ireland

9. Darren Woods, chief executive, WD Excellence

Full list of winners: