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Irish Motor Industry celebrates excellence
The Irish Motor Industry converged this week at the inaugural Irish Motor Industry Awards to celebrate the successes of the last year.
Backed by SIMI and sponsored by Castrol Professional, the awards ceremony honoured those businesses who have demonstrated excellence and best practice in the face of very challenging market conditions.
Over 250 of the Motor Industry’s senior figures attended the first ever awards ceremony of its kind, held at Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare. Legendary Irish international football star, Ronnie Whelan, presented the trophies to the award winners.
The winners of the 2010 SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards in association with Castrol Professional are:
- Retail Operation of the Year: Cunningham Higgins, Galway
- Aftersales Operation of the Year: Joe Duffy Motors, Dublin
- Innovation of the Year: Merlin Car Auctions
- Unsung Hero of the Year: The Drogheda SIMI Members
- Franchise Dealer of the Year: Cavanaghs of Charleville
Addressing delegates at the SIMI’s National Franchise Dealers Conference 2010, Director General of SIMI, Alan Nolan highlighted the turnaround the industry made in the last year. “We are extremely grateful that the Government introduced scrappage in January; without a shadow of a doubt its introduction has lifted the industry. It is fantastic to see 3,200 more people employed in our industry. We are certainly one of few industries in the country who have seen such a jump in employment and we expect that trend to continue to the end of the year. From speaking to dealers around the country there is a renewed sense of excitement and positivity back in the trade.”
Nolan continued, “3,200 new jobs is hugely significant not just for our industry but for small businesses around the country. Having to let go staff last year was a very sad time for employers across the country. On top of that, the 150 apprentice vacancies is something which the industry hasn’t seen for many years. It’s great to see members giving young people the opportunity to kick start their career at such a difficult time in our country.”
Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland, said: “It was exciting to see the industry coming together to celebrate best practice and congratulate those who have achieved exceptional things this year. We work with a large number of businesses in the sector and have seen how they have adapted and toiled to make progress. The whole industry should be proud of what has been achieved over the past year and can feel positive about the outlook for 2011.”
For full details of the 2010 SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards in association with Castrol Professional, please visit www.irishmotorindustryawards.ie.
Pictured at the presentation of the award for Innovation of the Year to Merlin Car Auctions at the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2010 in association with Castrol Professional were (l-r): Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland; David Byrne, Managing Director, Merlin Car Auctions; Special Guest at the awards, Ronnie Whelan; and Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI.
Pictured at the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2010 in association with Castrol Professional were (l-r): Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland; Hugh Sheehy, Marketing Manager, Cavanagh’s of Charleville Ltd, Franchise Dealer of the Year; Mark Bradley, Dealer Principal, Joe Duffy BMW, Aftersales Operation of the Year; Special Guest at the awards, Ronnie Whelan; David Byrne, Managing Director, Merlin Car Auctions, winner of the Innovation of the Year award; Merlin O’Reilly, CEO, Merlin Motor Group; Niall Cunningham, Managing Director, Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Ltd, Retail Operation of the Year; and Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI.
Pictured at the presentation of the award of Franchise Dealer of the Year to Cavanagh’s of Charleville Ltd at the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2010 in association with Castrol Professional were (l-r): Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland; Hugh Sheehy, Marketing Manager, Cavanagh’s of Charleville Ltd; Special Guest at the awards, Ronnie Whelan; and Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI.
Pictured at the presentation of the award for Aftersales Operation of the Year to Joe Duffy BMW at the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2010 in association with Castrol Professional were (l-r): Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland; Mark Bradley, Dealer Principal, Joe Duffy BMW; Special Guest at the awards, Ronnie Whelan; and Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI.
Pictured at the presentation of the award for Retail Operation of the Year to Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Ltd at the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2010 in association with Castrol Professional were (l-r): Dave Watson, Head of Castrol Professional in Ireland; Niall Cunningham, Managing Director, Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Ltd; Special Guest at the awards, Ronnie Whelan
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