BRIAN McCONVILLE MJMBRIAN McCONVILLE established MJM in Co Down in 1983. While it remains a family- owned joinery business, it has evolved into an international specialist in new build, refurbishment and fit-out services to the marine, commercial and private sectors.
MJM has forged close relationships with commercial clients such as Stena Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines, as well as providing bespoke joinery for office, retail and private residential projects.
Operating from its headquarters in Newry, and with offices in Britain, France and Poland, MJM employs more than 120 staff and has increased turnover significantly in the past three years. McConville is proactive in his approach to developing the local supply chain and works with a network of small and medium enterprises throughout Ireland.
Recognised by international cruise-line syndicates as one of the top three fit-out companies in the world, the MJM of 2011 has undergone an evolution familiar to many entrepreneurs. “After working as a joiner for other people for a long time, I realised that I could carry out the work much better myself,” says McConville, “so I set up shop in my father’s old shed and got to work making, delivering and installing furniture for my first customer, B&I.”
From humble beginnings, the business may now be on an entirely different scale, but McConville believes its core values are more, rather than less, relevant today. “Quality of service, value for money and personal involvement are key to our global credibility.”
Products
MJM specialises as a “turnkey” fit-out contractor operating in high-end sectors including homes, yachts, cruise liners and 6* hotels.
Customers
MJM counts cruise companies such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, PO and Norwegian Cruise Lines among its clients. It has also completed work for Stena Line, Irish Ferries and Scandlines, while its London fit-out business has seen it count many top hotel brands among its customers, in addition to private clients. The company’s latest venture involves carrying out interior refits to some of the most luxurious privately owned yachts in the world.
Any interesting circumstances around the evolution of the company?
Sheer determination and hard work. I’m proud of the fact that my first employees are still with the company today and that my first apprentice is currently one of my senior management team.
MARK McCUSKER
Texthelp Systems Ltd
TEXTHELP SYSTEMS, led by chief executive, Mark McCusker, designs and develops innovative software to help struggling readers and writers. The software is targeted at education, education publishing and corporate sectors and within those communities it specifically helps dyslexic, English language learners, mildly visually impaired and functionally illiterate users.
he technology is supported by a library of independent research.
Based in Antrim, the company sells its products into a number of global markets, including north America, where it has offices based in Boston. Texthelp Systems had a turnover of €12.195 million last year.
Mark became the chief executive of Texthelp Systems in September 1998, at a time when the company had just six employees. Since those early days, he has transformed the company from a technology- led, opportunistic enterprise to a thriving and customer-led, market-focused business with more than 100 employees and distribution of products worldwide.
The company has a fully operational north American business with 40 staff, has been recognised in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for 11 years and has won many accolades.
Texthelp is moving into non-English- speaking areas, targeting technology-assisted language learning in south America and the Far East. It employs 108 staff.
Products
Texthelp specialises in the development of software to assist, support and develop the literacy skills of individuals who have difficulty reading and writing.
Customers
Texthelp customers range from individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, to corporate clients, such as schools, colleges, universities, education publishers, libraries, corporations, local government, emergency service authorities, and health authorities.
Describe your progression from start-up to current status?
Initially, we were a single product company focused upon the UK market and serving the needs of the dyslexic community. In 1998 we started to target the US market, followed by Canada, Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the education sector. Parallel to this we established two divisions that focused on the corporate and education publishing sectors.
What advice would you give an entrepreneur starting out today?
Go east!
JOE HOGAN and NIALL NORTON
Openet
IN 1999, a fledgling software company was formed in a basement office in Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Square, with room for only two people. Founded during the Celtic Tiger era, Openet was able to benefit from the decade- long economic success in Ireland and become a global technology company.
Over the last 12 years, the company has extended its global reach and is now supported by a workforce of more than 830 people, 260 of them in Dublin. The vision of its senior team, including founder and chief technical officer Joe Hogan and chief executive officer Niall Norton, has been essential to its established presence within the industry.
After establishing a reputation with baseline telecommunications mediation software, Openet developed additional software and platforms out of its initial core product. It now claims 100 per cent of the voice and data mediation traffic among the top three carriers in the United States.
Openet has consistently increased its revenues, achieving €31 million in 2008, €46 million in 2009 and €75.5 million in 2010. It is targeting revenue of €100 million for 2011. More than 99 per cent of its revenues come from outside Ireland, making it the largest privately owned technology company in Ireland.
Products/Services:
Openet provides subscriber optimisation software to communication and media service providers worldwide. It enables its customers to create new business models while simplifying user experiences and maximising the value of network resources to manage new challenges presented by LTE, cloud computing and other next-generation technologies.
Customers
Openet has been primarily focused on large global carriers within the wireless, broadband and cable industries. Its customers in 28 countries include AT&T, Verizon, Orange and Vodafone. It also has strategic partnerships with other significant businesses including Cisco, IBM and Juniper.
What is your biggest business achievement?
Launching the iPad service for various operators, as it required an innovative and flexible payment system that gave Openet a chance to showcase its core technology talents, creativity and performance.
What is the best business advice you ever received?
Never stop changing and redefining the opportunity that the company presents to its customers.
PATRICK HURST
Munster Simms Engineering Ltd
MUNSTER SIMMS Engineering Ltd can trace its origins back to 1810 and in June last year, it celebrated its bicentenary. However, the Bangor-based company is better known to its customers today as Whale Water Systems.
From its north Down facility, Munster Simms exports its own designed and manufactured goods to more than 48 countries. Its primary markets are leisure marine, caravan/RV, healthcare and the "exotic" world of portable toilets. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, as MS Petroleum, it distributed petrol and oil via 400 petrol stations throughout Ireland, while also running a thriving hardware wholesale division in York Street in Belfast.
During the second World War, the business started making the brass pumps on which today's company was founded. Now, with an inhouse design team of 27 engineers and with offices in England, the US, Sweden and most recently in France, the company employs some 150 people and has ambitious plans for expansion.
Three years ago, as a result of a MBO/MBI, Whale Water Systems was successfully brought back into local ownership by the three company directors and 2010 turned out to be a year of outstanding growth, with its highest turnover on record, in excess of €15 million.
Under its new leadership, innovation is firmly at the heart of the company. Fifteen worldwide design patents have been registered, highlighting the creative culture now embedded in the business. Seventy per cent of the Whale product offering is new compared to 2008.
Products
While still specialising in the design, manufacture, marketing and selling of Whale pumps, valves and plumbing for use in mobile or low-voltage environments, the business has diversified into higher value, more technical products, namely a full range of gas and electric water and space heaters.
Has your Irish-ness contributed to your success?
There is no doubt that coming from a country known for its humour, charm and character helps in establishing long-lasting relationships. In the end, people do business with people.
How do you recharge your batteries?
I don't look at what I do as a "job", so whether I am in the factory or not, my mind is often thinking about new products, improving customer service or simply improving the working environment for all the employees. However, I do enjoy spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food, wine, travel and cars, particularly classic motor racing.
THE AWARD
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award, now in its 14th year, aims to recognise and acclaim Ireland's entrepreneurs. The award is run in association with The Irish Times, RTÉ, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Newstalk.
Eight companies have been chosen in each of the three categories: International, Industry and Emerging.
Four nominees will be profiled each Monday over the next three weeks.
A nominee must be a business founder or owner, and be primarily responsible for the recent performance of a company that is at least two years old.
Founders of public companies are eligible, provided the founder is still active in top management.
The nominee must own 5 per cent of the company to be eligible. Anyone – including employees, company advisers and financiers – can nominate an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs may nominate themselves or their peers.
Judging criteria include growth in turnover and employee numbers, as well as vision, degree of innovation, creativity in production, marketing and selling, and expansion in local and international markets.
The chairman of the judging panel is Pádraig Ó Céidigh, chairman of Aer Arann. Other judges are: Terry Clune, chief executive of Taxback.com; Hugh O’Donnell, chief executive of Kentz Group; Brian Long, partner at Atlantic Bridge Ventures; Michael Carey, executive chairman of Jacob Fruitfield Group; Anne Heraty, chief executive of CPL Resources; Pat McDonagh, director of Thirdforce and Ernst Young Master; Liam Shanahan, managing director of Shanahan Engineering; Jeremy Fitch, managing director of Invest Northern Ireland; Tom Hayes, head of entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, and Jerry Kennelly, chief executive of Tweak.
The winner will be announced at a televised awards ceremony on October 21st.
