By Business & Finance 
Business & Finance has released the annual Top 100 Index, recognising the leading companies operating in Ireland in 2023.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
The full list is available to download here
Keelings
Keelings is a 100% Irish owned, 3rd generation family business operating and innovating within the fresh produce industry since 1926. Keelings provide a range of services and expertise, including growing, sourcing, sales, marketing, supply chain and ERP software solutions within fresh produce. Over the last 96 years, the business has evolved and grown nationally and internationally, and now employs over 2,700 employees across 11 business units in 7 different countries. Caroline Keeling was appointed CEO in 2012 after numerous roles across the business since 1994 and today she continues to lead and grow the company to deliver on their, Better Food Better World, purpose.
Kepak
A family-run business that began with a butcher’s shop, Kepak has grown to an internationally operating, multi-faceted food innovator with 30,000 employees across 30 countries, and the first Irish meat Irish meat processing company to launch an Irish beef retail brand —Celtic Beef Company—in the USA. In Ireland, Kepak pledged to donate some 4.2 tonnes of produce to homeless charity Simon Community over the winter of 2018, reducing the Simon Community’s meat costs by almost 30%.
Kerry Group
Having commenced operation from a green field site in Listowel, Co. Kerry in 1972, the Kerry organisation has evolved from a private dairy processor, to a dairy co-operative, to its current incarnation as a public company with annualised sales of approximately €6.4 billion, and operations established in 27 countries across five continents. CEO Edmond Scanlon announced Group reported revenue increased by 10.0%, reflecting business volume growth of 3.1%, in the nine months to the end of September 2019 in the most recent set of results. Kerry Group will be celebrating thier 50th ithis year! What a testiment to a successful company.
Keyword Studios
Keywords Studios is a leading international provider of technical and creative services for the video games industry, delivering a global services platform across its network of 70+ studios, located across 5 continents and 23 countries. By working as their external development partner, Keywords Studios enables leading content creators and publishers to leverage their expertise and capacity across the full game development lifecycle. The company IPO-ed in London in 2013 to access capital for growth and acquisitions, growing from employing 50 people in Dublin in 2009 to more than 10,000 staff globally today.
Lakeland Dairies
Lakeland Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited is a dairy co-operative headquartered in Co Cavan. It collects 2bn litres of milk annually from its 3,2000 farm family shareholders across 16 counties in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Lakeland Dairies is Ireland’s second largest dairy processor (the largest in Northern Ireland). Lakeland Dairies is a €1.9bn turnover business with eight processing sites on the island of Ireland as well as operations in Ireland, the UK and the United States. Lakeland Dairies exports some 240 dairy products to over 100 markets across the globe.
Layden Group
The Layden Group was formed in 1978 by Joseph P. Layden. The Group have been building, investing and operating properties for over 40 years. Family owned and operated , Layden Group are noted for benevolence to their many smaller business tenants . Their support and encouragement of those new to Ireland, SMEs and independent business tenants has been the subject of many awards .
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked is a global healthcare solutions company that provides the tools to manage health from home through direct access to diagnostic testing, virtual consultations, and medication delivery for a wide range of health and wellness conditions. LetsGetChecked’s end-to-end model includes manufacturing, logistics, lab analysis, clinician support, and prescription fulfillment. Founded in 2015, the company empowers people with accessible health information and care to live longer, happier lives. LetsGetChecked is available nationwide in the United States, the United Kingdom, and most EU countries. It is co-headquartered in Dublin and New York.
Linesight
Linesight is a multinational construction consultancy firm with over 48 years’ experience, providing cost and project management services, project controls, schedule, risk and procurement services to a multitude of sectors including Life Sciences, Data Centres, Commercial Real Estate, High-Tech Industrial, Residential, Hospitality, Healthcare and Retail. Linesight’s specialist project teams, each with specific skills and experience, provide faster project delivery, greater cost efficiency and maximum value for money for their clients. Visit www.linesight.com for further details.
Mainstream Renewable Power
Mainstream Renewable Power is a leading pure-play renewable energy company, with wind and solar assets across global markets, including in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Mainstream is one of the most successful developers of gigawatt-scale renewables platforms, across onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar power generation. It has successfully delivered 6.5 GW of wind and solar generation assets to financial close-ready. In May 2021, In May 2021, Aker Horizons acquired a majority stake in Mainstream, and in April 2022, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. joined Aker Horizons as a long-term strategic investor. In August 2022, Aker Offshore Wind was integrated into the Mainstream Group. Mainstream has raised more than EUR3.0bn in project finance to date and employs 600 people across five continents.
Maxol
Maxol is Ireland’s largest family-owned forecourt retailer. Founded in 1920, The Maxol Group is one of the oldest private businesses in the country. From its humble beginnings to its 242 service stations across Ireland today, staying true to the founding philosophy of being at the heart of every community in which it operates has been key to Maxol’s success. The innovative business offers a wide range of products and services to the Irish and Northern Irish markets through its convenience retailing, petroleum, fuel cards and lubricant divisions. Maxol’s business model is transitioning from being a fuel brand selling convenience products to a convenience food service brand selling fuel and new energies for mobility. The Maxol Group directly and indirectly employs more than 1,000 people and its service stations are run by local people, employing local people and serving local communities.
Mercury Engineering
Mercury, founded in 1972 by Frank O’Kane and Joe Morgan, continues to operate as an entrepreneurial Irish based European Contractor. With almost 2,000 staff and revenues in excess of €750 million, Mercury made the key decision to rebrand in 2019 – the first and only in almost fifty years of business.
Meta Ireland
At Facebook our mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together! The work we do impacts the world, and the future. We work on things we’re incredibly passionate about, that align with our values and purpose, and that have a positive impact on the world. It’s who we are. It’s why we build. Join Facebook and our growing family of apps/services (e.g. Instagram, Oculus, WhatsApp, Workplace, Portal). We’re moving fast, making an impact, and just getting started. Learn more at www.facebook.com/careers
Moy Park
The poultry producer, Northern Ireland’s largest private sector business, made headlines in 2017 when it was sold to American investors for €1.1 billion. Headquartered in Craigavonor, the firm is headed by Chris Kirke. Founded as a small farm in Tyrone over seven decades ago, the group now processes an average of 5.7 million chickens per week, holding a market share which ranks it among Europe’s leading poultry producers. May Park has also grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers, with more than half of the group’s international workforce of 12,000 based there.
Musgraves
We’re incredibly proud of our heritage. As we continue to celebrate our 145th year in business, we have been reflecting on how far we, and the world we live in, has come since we were founded in 1876. The spirit of enterprise, integrity and innovation which characterises Musgrave is what makes us unique. Through economic downturns and significant world events, our policy of investing, changing and innovating has been key to our success. It is as we reflect on our past that we realise how much our values and people have made Musgrave what it is today; strong, resilient and ready to continue in the spirit of our innovative founders who had a progressive and dynamic approach to business. From our original small grocery store owned by two brothers, we’re now Ireland’s largest private employer with over 41,000 employees. Our family business is sustaining long term stable relationships, built on a bedrock of honesty, working hard, achievement and not being greedy. Our values stand us in good stead in the modern world. As we continue to adapt, innovate and move forward into the future, these principles will be at the heart of every decision we make
National Broadband Ireland
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is designing, building, and operating the new high-speed fibre broadband network for rural Ireland under the Government’s National Broadband Plan. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since electrification, it is the largest Public Private Partnership in European telecoms. NBI’s team brings together some of the most talented individuals in Ireland and across the world, with deep knowledge and experience in delivering transformational infrastructure projects. The team’s global experience in designing, building, and operating truly wholesale open-access telecommunications networks has resulted in developing a new national network in Ireland that has attracted over 50 Internet Service Providers in under 12 months of the network being active. NBI was established by Granahan McCourt, an international investor in technology, media and telecommunications. For over 30 years, Granahan McCourt has partnered with governments, corporations, and communities to connect people through innovation in technologically underserved areas of the world.
Nearform
NearForm is an award winning software engineering company founded in 2011 in Tramore, Ireland. We are recognised as a pioneer in remote working and a world-leader in solving complex problems leveraging open source frameworks for some of the best known brands in the world. We build software for our public and private sector clients in three core areas: Products to better serve their customers, Platforms to deliver a better experience for their developers and Data solutions to provide better insights and impact. As leaders in Open Source, we use accelerated software delivery methods to reduce time to market and maximise efficiency while building scalable, secure and agile solutions. We accelerate our clients’ impact through the design and delivery of brilliant software solutions and sustain their progress by building their internal digital capability. The successful addition of new funding from private equity specialist Columbia Capital in late 2020, is driving a new phase of growth for the business that builds on its foundations of providing open, innovative software solutions for forward thinking companies looking to bring world class digital experiences to their customers. Today, NearForm has a growing global footprint in 28+ countries, with enterprise clients across Europe and the Americas that include Telus, Walmart, Conde Nast, ADP, Virgin Media, EY, Protocol Labs, Betaworks and Charles River Laboratories.
Norbrook
One of the world’s largest private veterinary pharmaceutical firms, family owned Norbrook was founded by Lord Ballyedmond in 1969. From its headquarters in Newry, the company holds a drug portfolio which includes antibiotics, a range of NSAIDs used for horses, cattle, and swine, it also has a growing Companion Animal portfolio. It has over 200 product licences selling into over 100 countries globally. Norbrook’s latest full-year results show sales revenue of £230 million.
NTR Plc
With almost 40 years of experience in investing in and managing infrastructure assets, NTR now applies that expertise on behalf of investors who wish to avail of the attractive, reliable cash flows that quality sustainable infrastructure assets can provide. For two decades, NTR has invested in renewable energy and during that period, NTR has through its associated companies, constructed and operated c.2GW of wind projects and 630MW of solar projects across Europe and the US. Since 2015, NTR has acquired and managed renewable energy investments on behalf of third party investors through its renewable energy funds.
OHM Group
The OHM Group, established in 1972, is one of Ireland’s leading private businesses and is engaged in the exclusive distribution of internationally recognised brands and prestige products such as Land Rover, Jaguar, SAAB, Daihatsu, DAF, MAN, and Kohler-SDMO. The Group’s activities include the importation and distribution of motor cars, commercial vehicles, buses, materials handling equipment, generators and engines. OHM Group is also successfully involved in motor retailing through its Spirit Motor Group of companies. Over the last 35 years the OHM Group has built up an extensive wholesale and retail distribution network throughout Ireland. It has developed a broad customer base which ranges across major industrial companies, leading financial institutions, government bodies, public utilities, medium to small enterprises and private individuals. The Group employs approximately 200 people, operating from purpose built, state-of-the-art facilities at 6 separate locations in Dublin and Cork.
Openet
Founded in 1999 by Joe Hogan and Declan Conway, Openet is a leading software and services provider to communications companies, with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. In August 2020 Openet was purchased by Amdocs, a leading cloud software vendor in the BSS/OSS space with headquarters in Missouri, USA. Openet works with 7 of the top 10 service providers in the world, leading the way in BSS innovation for 5G networks with over 140 Patents. For the last 20 years Openet have helped the world’s most innovative communications companies manage and monetise their business and evolve from communications companies to digital service providers.
Origin Enterprises
Origin Enterprises plc is an international Agronomy-Services group, providing specialist advice, inputs and digital solutions to promote sustainable land use. Through science-led innovation and integrated agronomy solutions, the Group operates in partnership with over 48,000 farmers and professionals in agriculture, amenity, landscaping and ecology markets to help them optimise crop yield and economic returns on a sustainable basis. Listed on the Euronext Growth (Dublin) and AIM markets of the Irish and London Stock Exchanges, Origin has leading market positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Poland, Romania and Ukraine.
Ornua
Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, the majority of Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of €2.5 billion and a global team of 2,900 employees. Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe. The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for a portfolio of leading consumer brands including Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Kerrygold Avantage, Forto, and BEO. Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world. Ornua marked its 60th year in business in 2021, delivering a strong performance with Group turnover up to €2.5 billion. Group EBITDA and operating profit, before exceptional items and pre-Ornua Value Payment, grew by 0.7% and 1.3% respectively. This performance was achieved against the backdrop of a complex trading environment due to the continued impact of Covid-19, increased market volatility, and significant macro-economic challenges. 2021 was a milestone year for Kerrygold, which is owned by Ornua. Consumers continued to gravitate towards the brands they trust with Kerrygold experiencing 12% volume growth on 2020, with 11 million packets of butter and cheese sold each week.
PCH
For over 25 years, we support our customers at all phases of the product journey – from the initial concept, to product development, strategic sourcing, manufacturing management, fulfilment and delivery B2B and B2C worldwide. We work with companies that are passionate about design, brand and the consumer experience. We design and manage custom supply chains that are efficient, agile, and socially and environmentally responsible. We provide the supply chain visibility and predictability that allows our customers to best manage their business.
Phelan Energy
Phelan Energy Group Limited was established in 2005 after solar energy solutions grabbed our founder’s, Paschal Phelan, entrepreneurial attention. The Group now have global offices in Dubai, Dublin, Cape Town, New Delhi, Afghanistan. Phelan Energy Group Limited is a leading international energy developer with an exclusive focus on Solar PV. Led by a dynamic trans-national team the group commenced operations in South Africa 15 years ago. It has a total installed, and grid connected, capacity of 260 MWp, with a large and ever-growing global footprint. Our vision, as an energy developer, is to bring low-cost clean Solar PV power to future generations.
