Two businesses from Roscommon have taken top honours at the prestigious Irish Auto Trade Awards 2017, which took place at Citywest Hotel, Dublin last Saturday, (October 22nd).
The awards are a celebration of excellence in the Irish auto trade in Ireland, a sector that accounts for over 35,000 jobs.
247 Lighting from Ballydangan, Athlone (pictured above) scooped the award for Automotive Aftermarket Parts Manufacturer of the Year, while Auto Workshop Tools & Equipment Supplier of the Year went to PJ Fallon and Son of Castlerea Road, Roscommon.
Presenting the award to Joe Fallon (Pictured below) of PJ Fallon and Son, the Master of Ceremonies Bobby Kerr said “This was a very closely contested category, with PJ Fallon winning out for the second year in a row. A great achievement at national level.”
He praised 247 Lighting as “an Irish-based company punching above its weight in terms of innovation and technology in the automotive lighting sector. They came out on top in a hotly contested category against some global global manufacturers to the auto aftermarket sector.”
Retail auto businesses undergo a rigorous selection process that includes phone and personal mystery shops before being finally adjudicated on. Manufacturer and distributor companies were shortlisted based on votes received by readers of the Irish Auto Trade Journal over recent months.
The gala event attracted in excess of 600 leading figures from the motor industry in Ireland and coincided with the Auto Trade EXPO in the nearby Citywest Exhibition Centre and Arena, on last Saturday and Sunday. The EXPO attracted a record 7,800 plus visitors and nearly 200 trade exhibitor stands from the auto aftermarket, including parts, components, tools, equipment and the service sectors.
Another major award also went to a Strokestown based business.
Kelly Trucks, Strokestown was awarded HCV Aftersales Main Dealer of the year for Connacht – Ulster (Excl. N.I).
Kelly Trucks won this important recognition for their growing reputation for service and repair of all makes of trucks and trailers including full CVRT preparation service for all HGV and LGV vehicles. It is also a main Renault Trucks agent for both new trucks, parts and repair, as well providing a large range of parts for all makes of commercial trucks & trailers.
According to the Irish Auto Trade Awards organiser Padraic Deane of Automotive Publications, “These regional and national awards are all about standards, and about rewarding those often overlooked businesses across the country who excel in how they serve the customer. Every year it is getting harder to separate the great from the good!“