• Gerkros Boilers wins the Overall SFA National Small Business Award 2007

• Ireland’s best examples of SME Entrepreneurs get National Recognition

• An Taoiseach presents SFA National Small Business Awards 2007

The Gerkros Cosyman Woodpecker has the Wood Pellet System encased in a galvanized outdoor module.

Gerkros Boilers, a leading Irish domestic renewable heating company, has won the Overall SFA (Small Firms' Association) National Small Business Award 2007, partnered by O2 Ireland and Bank of Ireland Business Banking. The prize package awarded to Gerkros Boilers includes a €15,000 cash prize and lifetime SFA membership.

The presentation took place at a gala banquet in the Mansion House on Wednesday evening, 21st March. In making his address, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, TD, the Patron of the Awards, acknowledged "the extraordinary contribution that the small business sector is making to our economy", noting that there are some 250,000 small businesses currently operating in the Irish economy, which together employ about 800,000 people. The Taoiseach stated that "the diversity and quality of the nominees exemplify the creativity and commitment of our small business sector and its capacity to embrace innovation". Concluding, he emphasised that, in the context of the ever more competitive international economic climate, "it is vital that we continue to nurture and grow our indigenous enterprises. Given that over 97% of businesses operating in Ireland are small businesses, the work of the SFA, and events such as tonight's, have a key role to play in that process."

Gerkros Boilers was founded by Gerry Cross in 1971 and can lay claim to creating the first Irish manufactured back boiler. The company, which is now a family business is run by managing director, Gerry and sons, commercial director, Ger and technical director, Declan, and has been at the forefront of innovation and technology in domestic heating for over 35 years. Innovations in the 1980s included the easy clean concept for back boilers; the first Irish manufactured oil burner and the inclusion of GEM Superior Indoor and Gem Boiler house models to the company’s range of products. In the 1990s Gerkros Boilers created the Cosyman range of oil boilers and in 2005 the company became Ireland’s only producer of Wood Pellet Boilers.

The company has a strong focus on environmental awareness, dedicating significant resources to developing renewable heating technologies over the last three years and this has been recognised by a recent award for The Cosyman Woodpecker at the 2006 Plan Expo and a Merit Award at the Irish Sustainable Building Show in the RDS Dublin in 2005.

Announcing the winner, Pat Crotty, SFA Chairman and Chair of the Judging Panel stated that "the Cross family have proved that constant innovation is crucial to the expansion of a business in any sector. To be at the top of their game after 35 years in business is to be admired. What really impressed the judging panel about this company was its’ steady year on year sales and significant increase in turnover over the past four years.

Achieving this growth in the manufacturing sector, which has seen some devastating casualties in recent times, is a significant accomplishment."

This is the third year of the SFA National Small Business Awards, which are organised by the Small Firms Association, in partnership with O2 Ireland and Bank of Ireland Business Banking. Awards were also presented to six category winners, who each received a €5,000 cash prize and one year’s free SFA membership.

According to Pat Crotty, SFA Chairman and Chair of the Judging Panel "the aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievement, innovation and excellence of small business in Ireland and to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to Irish industry. As over 97% of businesses in Ireland are small businesses and account for 250,000 companies this is a true barometer of our pro-innovation culture. The SFA see this Awards Programme as a major platform to both recognise and foster this new entrepreneurial talent and culture throughout the country, spurring on creativity and employment which ultimately drives our economic development."

"As a formal recognition of the contribution of the small business sector to our economy, three of our state agencies have for a third year allocated resources to this programme namely Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, and FÁS. We are also delighted this year to welcome the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland as an additional sponsor. Entrants this year showed the great diversity of companies throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. The judges were very impressed by both the quality and standard of the many applications received and this made their task even more difficult", stated Crotty.

Commenting, Billy D’Arcy, Head of Business Sales and Services, O2 Ireland said: "I would like to congratulate all the winners here tonight. Small firms are the backbone of the Irish economy and O2 Ireland is delighted to be associated with such prestigious awards that acknowledge these outstanding businesses. We realise it's not easy out there and we recognise that small businesses are a very hard working group that make many sacrifices to make a success of their company. In general, they work longer hours than their employees and have taken risks to leave the relative security of a larger firm to create their own business. We pride ourselves on the high quality of the services and support that we offer to small businesses through our people, our O2 Ireland stores and our extensive dealer network. Innovation and entrepreneurship are worth their weight in gold - long may Ireland continue producing such entrepreneurs."

Cathal Muckian, Director Bank of Ireland Business Banking commented: "Bank of Ireland Business Banking is proud to be associated with the SFA National Small Business Awards. The quality of this year’s entries has been particularly high, confirming the professionalism that’s central to the successful management of small business today. Bank of Ireland has a long history of supporting the small business sector and is committed to understanding its needs and enabling its growth agenda for the year ahead."

The Category Award Winners are as follows:

MANUFACTURING AWARD (up to 50 employees); prize sponsored by Enterprise Ireland: Gerkros Boilers was the winner of the Manufacturing Award, whilst both Fitout.ie and Modern Timber Homes each received a Highly Commended award.

Gerkros Boilers is a domestic heating manufacturing organization, established since 1971, and is currently Ireland’s leading domestic renewable heating company.

Fitout.ie, combines fit-out, design and project management skills with hotel and restaurant operations experience in its event management business. Established in 2004, employing 30 staff, the company is headquartered in Dundalk and has a presence in Montenegro.

Spotting a gap in the market in 2004, Shaun McColgan established Modern Timber Homes in Donegal and manufactured one timber frame home a week. In 2006 alone, this figure increased to ten homes a week.

FOOD & DRINK AWARD (up to 50 employees), prize sponsored by Bord Bia: Shalvey Poultry picked up the winner’s award in the Food & Drink category and Boozeberries were Highly Commended.

Established in 1949 and currently employing 35, Shalvey Poultry has constantly moved with the times and now produces a large range of cooked poultry products, many as own brand products for a number of domestic chains.

Boozeberries Classic Irish Liqueur based in Carlow has received numerous industry plaudits after only 3 years in business. Established by Michelle Power, this small business is set to increase production three-fold this year.

SERVICES AWARD (up to 50 employees), prize sponsored by Bank of Ireland Business Banking: The Gift Voucher Shop was the winner of the Services category. Established by former senator Michael Dawson, the company sells gift vouchers through the Post Office network, online and over the phone. It operates on behalf of 600 retailers through one thousand Post Offices nationwide. Its most successful product to date is the well-known One4All gift voucher.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS (up to five employees); prize sponsored by O2 Ireland: The winner in this category is Western Edge Medical Communications. This company works with pharmaceutical marketing departments in diverse areas from the development of training materials for marketing and sales staff to the organisation of international scientific and clinical meetings.

BEST IN HR DEVELOPMENT AWARD (up to 50 employees); prize sponsored by FÁS: The Best in HR Development Company is Ballyknocken House & Cookery School.

Catherine Fulvio took over the running of the 19th century Victorian guesthouse in 1999 from her mother and subsequently set up Ballyknocken Cookery School. Guests enjoy fresh local foods prepared in a peaceful countryside setting, with cooking ingredients sourced from the farm’s own herb and soft fruit gardens, and lamb and beef from local providers.

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR (up to 50 employees); prize sponsored by Enterprise Ireland: Co Wicklow based Megazyme International has won the Innovator category.

Megazyme International develops and supplies innovative test kits and reagents for the cereals, food, feed and fermentation industries. The company has managed to reach a world market from its Bray location. Megazyme markets a range of over 300 products and export sales account for 98% of its turnover.

Ci3 were also Highly Commended in this category. Following an MBO in 2005, Ci3 was formed to supply operational risk management applications to its clients. Ci3 currently employs 32 people.

The judging panel that selected the Award winners included: Pat Crotty, SFA Chairman and Chair of the Judging Panel; Billy D’Arcy, Head of Business Sales and Services, O2 Ireland; Cathal Muckian, Director of Bank of Ireland Business Banking; Brian O’Kane, Managing Director of Oak Tree Press and author of numerous business books; Frank Roche, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Smurfit School of Business; Rita Shah, Managing Director of Shabra Plastics and Recycling Ltd; and Tom McEnaney, Business Editor of the Irish Independent.