Nominee: Gerard Cleary Glenisk Winning business worldwide

Glenisk has become Ireland's largest organic fresh dairy products producer.

Established in 1987 by Gerard Cleary's father, John, Gerard inherited the business in 1995 and within a year, in response to the demands of a growing market, developed it into a fully-organic operation.

The company has built a strong reputation for providing a range of healthy dairy products throughout Ireland, including organic milk, goats' milk and yogurts.

Significant funds go towards sourcing and purchasing quality ingredients, the upshot being that the average price the firm pays to local farmers is the highest in Europe.

In 2006 Glenisk teamed up with Stonyfield Europe, co-owned by US-based Stonyfield Farm and Paris-based Danone Group.

The business agreement has expanded the firm's distribution network to Tesco, Sainsbury and wholefoods stores in the United Kingdom. The company employs 35 staff.

Products/services:

Glenisk produces a wide and growing range of premium quality organic dairy produce using fully-certified (IOFGA and Soil Association) Irish organic milk. Products include probiotic organic yogurt (in different flavours and fat levels), fresh goats' milk, organic cows' milk and organic cream.

Glenisk's entire range of natural yogurts is free from sugar, and for those with an intolerance to cows' milk the company also has a growing range of goats' milk products.

Glenisk tracks, traces and tests all of its ingredients to ensure that they are free from preservatives, antibiotics, genetically-modified organisms, pesticides, artificial stabilisers, chemicals, artificial pesticides and irradiated ingredients.

Customers:

Among Glenisk's main customers are Tesco (UK & Ireland), Sainsbury, Asda and Dunnes Stores.

Q:What vision prompted you to start up in business?

A:Coming from a large family, I found that independence, determination and a fighting spirit was instilled in me from an early age, and it was with this ethos in mind that I decided to start working in the family business.

In my opinion there is no better experience than getting a business off the ground, going through the hardship of years of losses, finally turning it around and seeing the fruits of the business blossom.

Q: What motivates you to succeed?

A:Trying to exceed the expectations and constant changing needs of our customers and potential customers is always at the forefront of my mind.

We live in a world where benchmarks are constantly being raised, and I believe Glenisk is always at the cutting edge of the organic fresh dairy products industry.

We continuously invest in research and development of global foods and observe customers' attitudes, as well as being prepared for the next big thing.

Success in my book is when you try to satisfy customers' needs - and succeed in this - even before customers know what those needs are.