Excellence in Business Success Recognised in ABC Council Awards

Celebrating and championing the achievements of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough’s diverse, innovative and energetic business community took centre stage at the 2022 ABC Business Awards on Thursday evening.

ABC Business Award Winners 2022

1 of 15

Held in association with Northern Ireland’s leading energy company and associate sponsor, Power NI and hosted by presenter Sarah Travers, the gala black tie event took place on Thursday 24 February in the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown.

The ABC Business Awards were the first in-person awards in three years and the first major awards to recognise business achievements in 2022. Attracting 285 business, industry and council representatives, the awards night saw over 50 local businesses vie for the top spot of 14 hotly-contested award categories, designed to recognise business success, growth and innovation across a range of sectors.

Celebrating success across a wide range of corporate and consumer-focused categories, honours included Best Hospitality Business, Innovation, Social Enterprise Business, Business Growth, and Excellence in Manufacturing and Customer Service, as well the prestigious Sir Allen McClay Young Business Person accolade.

The awards night also included accolades for Best New Business, Best Family Business, Best Apprentice Employer, Best Place to Work, Best Agri-Food Business, Best Transport and Logistics, and the Commitment to Sustainability and Responsible Business Award

Covering all corners of the borough, winners on the night included: ConstructTuition; Irwin M&E; Sinton’s at the Bridge; Alternative Heat (two awards); Maxx Life Gym; ubloquity; incredABLE (incorporating incredABLE Enterprises); Donaghy Shoes; Almac Group; Home Instead; Armagh Cider Company; Long Meadow Cider; and Manfreight Limited.

Bill McAtavey from Azil Racking and Shelving scooped the prestigious Sir Allen McClay Young Business Person Award, while Mairead Mackle MBE, founder and CEO of Tarasis Enterprises, was bestowed the Business Ambassador Award on the night.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Glenn Barr commented,

 “On behalf of the council, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and commend all the finalists for getting behind these awards. These awards not only bring our business expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and our commitment to succeed to the forefront of the corporate community but to far beyond the borough

“It has been reassuring and encouraging to have these awards so well supported, both in the number of entries for each category and in the companies that came on board as category sponsors, without whom this event could not have taken place.”

The awards saw support from corporations and organisations including, Power NI, Almac Group, Armagh Business Centre, Banbridge District Enterprise, CIDO, GMcG Portadown, Ulster Tatler, Southern Regional College and council itself.

Amy Bennington, Commercial Marketing Manager at Power NI and associate sponsor of the 2022 ABC Business Awards commented,

“At Power NI, we’re committed to supporting our local communities and we’re proud to support the thriving and innovative businesses based in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough by sponsoring the 2022 ABC Business Awards.

“It has been a privilege to be involved in these awards and to have so many local businesses of all sizes and sectors come together in a celebration of the accomplishments that are so evident across the region.”

With unprecedented entries, the ABC Business Awards is growing in numbers and strength as it continues to recognise, champion and reward the diverse local and regional businesses firmly located in the borough.