Small Firms Association

🏆 The finalists in the SFA National Business Awards 2025 have been officially announced by Sue O'Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry. The strong response to the awards programme highlights the resilience of Irish small businesses, who continue to put their best foot forward in seeking recognition for their hard work," said Sue O’Neill. "In addition to our nine award categories, we're also showcasing five outstanding Emerging New Businesses (established less than two years ago), and it's clear that entrepreneurship is thriving across Ireland." "The Small Firms Association remains committed to celebrating the achievements of small business owners. With 273,000 small businesses employing almost half of Ireland's private sector workforce, these awards shine a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and success across every sector and region of the country," she added. 49 companies have been selected from 16 different counties, across ten categories. MANUFACTURING FINALISTS - Sponsored by PTSB Scatter Box ALS Identify Hygeia Lawrence Engineering Ltd Leinster Environmentals ULTRAPURE Laboratories Ltd   FOOD & DRINK FINALISTS - Sponsored by Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board Builíin Blasta Carlingford Oyster Company Drink Botanicals Ireland Shines Seafoods The Delicious Food Co Zingibeer Ltd.   SERVICES FINALISTS - Sponsored by Sage 3Q Recruitment Ltd. ASafe Global RedSky Europe ROCTEL SolarSmart Energy Ltd ZEUS Scooters   OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS FINALISTS - Sponsored by Elavon Europe Agile Executives GP Practice Ally Happy Cubs IO Agri Jack Murphy Clothing The Smooth Company   INNOVATION FINALISTS - Sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) EcoVolt Ltd Hugh J Ward & Co Solicitors Klearcom Oriel Marine Extracts ROCTEL Total Plastic Solution   RETAIL FINALISTS - Sponsored by One4all Group Dublin Herbalists Nutty Delights Rugs.ie Jack Murphy Clothing The Smooth Company Nibbed   EXPORTER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS - Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland Aterim Carlingford Oyster Company Drink Botanicals Ireland Klearcom Oriel Marine Extracts RedSky Europe VOYA SUSTAINABILITY FINALISTS - Sponsored by (SBCI) Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway Hygeia Oriel Marine Extracts Re-Cycle Bikes Velo Coffee Roasters Active Tribe   WORKPLACE WELLBEING FINALISTS - Sponsored by DeCare 3Q Recruitment VOYA ContractingPLUS Employee Financial Wellness OnePageCRM PD Ceramics Ltd   EMERGING NEW BUSINESS WINNERS - Sponsored by Microfinance Ireland Your Friend, My Friend Eco Powered Cabinets RealSafe App Copper Coast Renewables Colectivo | Collective Impact Congratulations to all finalists and Emerging New Business winners! For more information, visit www.SFAAwards.ie #SFAAwards2025 #BusinessAwards #BusinessSuccess #IrishBusiness

🚨 Could you be overlooking a simple way to reduce absenteeism and boost productivity? Find out at the SFA Ergonomics Advice Webinar, taking place tomorrow, 7 November at 3PM. During this session, Occupational Health Professional of the Year 2024, Carol Deasy from Occupational Health Solutions Ireland, will go through the practical steps to ensure your workplace is legally compliant and optimised for your employees' wellbeing. Learn how to effectively communicate best practice ergonomics advice to your staff - promote healthy workplace environments, reduce the risk of injuries, and enhance overall staff well-being. We encourage employers to participate in this informative event to ensure their teams are supported with the latest ergonomic practices. Register now - https://lnkd.in/eQuzzXaW Jonathan McDade #Ergonomics #SmallBusiness #SupportingWellbeing #SFA

We are delighted to announce that Geraldine Magnier, CEO of Idiro Analytics, an advanced analytics company, has been re-elected to serve a second two-year term as the Chairperson of the Small Firms Association (SFA). After serving two successful years as chair of the SFA, Geraldine was re-elected by her peers on the SFA Council and members present at our Annual General Meeting. In Geraldine's words: "When asked if I'd stand again for election, I said yes, because it's an honour to serve the small businesses of Ireland and despite a challenging environment right now, there is nothing more rewarding than working in a progressive environment where the people are open to solution making and creating meaningful change to benefit SBs and that's exactly what being part of the SFA means to me and our members." Know more about Geraldine and other members of our council https://lnkd.in/eGT9tfJg David Broderick Jonathan McDade #SFA #SmallBusiness #SFAAGM

Great to see Minister Peter Burke from Fine Gael, Ged Nash from Labour, Eoin Hayes from the Social Democrats, Minister Dara Calleary from Fianna Fáil & Louise OReilly from Sinn Fein participating in the Ibec General Election Hustings #ElectingforBusiness #GeneralElection #GE24 #SmallBusiness

🎙️ SFA Director, David Broderick, is live on Midlands 103's Taking Care of Business with Ronan Berry at 7:10PM today. Make sure you tune in. #SFA #GE24 #GE2024 #SmallBusiness #TakingCareofBusiness

🎙️ Tune in: SFA Director David Broderick is talking to Mandy Johnston about SFA's recently launched General Election Manifesto: For a Nation of Small Businesses tomorrow from 9 to 10AM for #TakingStock on Newstalk. Make sure to tune in for this conversation! You can explore our manifesto and its pillars here https://lnkd.in/edpbCjcq Jonathan McDade #SFA #GE24 #GE2024 #SmallBusiness #IrishBusiness

It was a privilege to participate at the Health and Safety Authority Conference this week. Thank you Dr Joan Cahill for the invitation. For the summary findings of HSA national survey on Consultation and Safety Representation, please see here https://lnkd.in/en4vVYeS #responsiblework #safetyculture #occupationalsafetyandhealth #SmallBusiness

For a Nation of Small Businesses The Small Firms Association has published its General Election manifesto. The manifesto calls for a bold and new approach to ensure the prosperity of the small business community for the decades ahead. It also includes various measures to secure the survival of vulnerable businesses in the short-term. More specifically, the SFA is calling for the introduction of a PRSI rebate for the most exposed businesses. It would be based on a rebate for each worker below an agreed earnings threshold, which is something that the SFA had requested ahead of the recent Budget. Explore our campaign and the full manifesto 👉 https://lnkd.in/edpbCjcq #Irishbusiness #GE24 #GE2024

📢 Member-Only Webinar: Managing Intoxicants in the Workplace Join us as Zaynab Lawal, HR Executive with the SFA, explores the crucial elements of a robust intoxicants policy. This session will provide guidance on developing fair policies that respect equality considerations and outline best practices for handling absences related to intoxicants. Key topics include: ✅ Building an effective intoxicants policy ✅ Equality and accommodation requirements ✅ Practical strategies for managing intoxicant-related absences 📅 Date: TOMORROW - 13 November ⏰ Time: 11 - 11.30am Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your HR practices and foster a safe, compliant work environment. Register today! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ev4-2YPF #SFA #HRWebinar #IntoxicantsPolicy #SmallBusiness

Last Friday, 08th of November, we gathered for the SFA Annual Lunch. It was an incredible event and full of amazing insights, discussions, but most importantly, thought-provoking. The speech from SFA Chair, Geraldine Magnier reminded everyone in the room of the challenges small businesses face on a daily basis and ignited a sense of pride in everyone attending. Then our special guest, Colm Meaney took the stage for a fireside chat with SFA Director, David Broderick, and entertain all 350 in attendance with his stories – the full Hollywood experience 🎬📽 One could feel the energy in the room and hear the common buzz of networking taking place throughout the event – we hope you’ve enjoyed every minute of it! We would like to thank all those in attendance for such a delightful afternoon, the event’s supporter AIB and sponsors Azets Ireland and MentorsWork for helping us bring another SFA Annual Lunch to existence; The team in Shellcove - Association Management Company for helping us run another flawless event; the team in The Round Room for the spotless venue, service and delicious food; Conor McCabe for the incredible photos and the whole SFA Team, specially Jonathan McDade for bringing Colm Meaney! ⭐ Did you attend the event? Let us know how we did in the comments below. Didn’t attend? – Register your interest to attend the SFA Annual Lunch next year - https://lnkd.in/eZMdqdVK #SFAAnnualLunch #SmallBusiness