Dublin, 17th November 2017: The Export Industry Awards 2017, the premier event recognising the remarkable achievements of companies working in the export industry in Ireland, took place on Friday, 17th November at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road Dublin. 11 companies won individual category awards across a range of sectors. Kildare based Irish Dog Foods was crowned the overall Exporter of the Year Award 2017 after winning the Medium Size Exporter of the Year Award category earlier in the evening. Irish comedian Mario Rosenstock MC’d the black tie Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner which was well attended with nearly 550 export industry professionals. Other guests included Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Higher Education, representatives from over 25 Embassies, Secretary Generals and Awards sponsors.
Irish Dog Foods is a pet food manufacturer in own-label and branded products for pet speciality retailers, wholesalers and discounters across the globe and have expanded their production facilities in Naas to over 220,000 sq feet increasing production capacity by 350% in 18 months this in addition to expansion at our other production sites at home and abroad. Irish Dog Foods recognised that the key to the success of its growth strategy was to concentrate on growing their export markets. The company was and continues to be a key supplier to many retailers who have a presence in multiple-markets. Based on their record of service, quality and value they have been able to open new markets with these customers one region after the other.
Speaking at the Awards Ceremony Liam Queally, CEO of Irish Dog Foods said “We were very humbled to receive such an accolade for our business, we believe that recognition like this will energise our team at Naas to push our boundaries’ even further. We have an exciting programme ahead and will enter many new markets for the first time in 2018. Our focus has been on innovation and growth through excellent customer service, we have seen dramatic growth in the last few years and are delighted to be recognised with this award”
Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Nicola Byrne, President of the Irish Exporters Association said: “We are delighted to announce Irish Dog Foods as the winner of the Overall Exporter of the Year 2017. The judges found Irish Dog Foods had an impressive innovation and growth strategy. They displayed a customer focused approach with a wide range of products and markets. Their focus on design thinking and innovation is unique in pet food manufacturing and their long term sustainability is based on bringing innovation to their customers coupled with a very real passion and love of dogs.”