Business

Four companies listed for Irish Times Local Enterprise of the Year award

Shortlisted companies are Buymie, Glenisk, the Shed Distillery, and the Layden Group

Shorla Pharma founders Orlaith Ryan, left, and Sharon Cunningham, with Eirgrid chief executive Mark Foley after being named Irish Times Local Enterprise of the Year 2020. Photograph: Conor McCabe

Sat Feb 12 2022 - 05:15

Four companies have been nominated for the Local Enterprise of the Year Award, which is sponsored by national grid operator Eirgrid and forms part of The Irish Times Business Awards, which will be held in April.

The shortlisted companies are Buymie, Glenisk, the Shed Distillery and the Layden Group.

Irish online grocery app Buymie has enjoyed strong growth in the pandemic. The company, which picks and delivers groceries from a number of retailers, expanded its service into Cork, Limerick and Galway, and Bristol in England (its first international market) during the pandemic, with the business achieving profitability last year.

Offaly-based yoghurt maker Glenisk suffered a devastating fire last September at its factory near Tullamore. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the State’s largest yoghurt maker resumed production in the past month in a move that restored many of its popular range of products to supermarket shelves.

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Founded by Pat Rigney in 2014, the Shed Distillery in Co Leitrim makes Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Sausage Tree vodka. The drinks group posted record revenues in the pandemic and opened a €3.5 million visitor centre, following delays due to Covid lockdown restrictions.

The family-run Layden Group received many plaudits during the pandemic when it took the decision to waive rents for tenants during periods of Covid lockdown. The Layden Group, led by executive director Gwen Layden, owns a large portfolio of retail investment properties, with the jewel in the crown being the George’s Street Arcade in central Dublin.

Shorla Pharma was named as Local Enterprise of the Year at the last Irish Times Business Awards.

Bank of Ireland recently renewed its sponsorship of The Irish Times Business Awards, which will be held this year on April 21st at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin.

There will also be awards for Business Person of the Year, Company of the Year, and Deal of the Year, along with a Distinguished Leader in Business award.

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