Posted: 31 Oct 2012
UCD engineering graduate named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2012
Edmond Harty, a world leader in the development and manufacture of dairy farm equipment, who developed a new method for the evaluation of milking units by measuring performance under flow conditions while completing his PhD at University College Dublin, has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year for 2012.
He joined the family business, Dairymaster, in 1998 while studying for his PhD at the UCD School of Biosystems Engineering. Under the supervision of Dr Patrick Grace of UCD and Dr Eddie O’Callaghan of Teagasc, his PhD focused on the area of milking performance.
Today, Dairymaster leads the way in these performance measurements. Headquartered in Causeway, near Tralee in County Kerry, Dairymaster also has operations in the UK and the US, and employs 220 people, internationally.
The company, which has maintained a focus on in-house R&D, manufacturing and the application of advancements in engineering technology, now exports to over 40 countries while retaining jobs locally; a factor that Edmond believes to be vital to the company’s success.
Edmond was presented with the title of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins in this, the 15th anniversary year of the Awards Programme in Ireland.
He will now go forward to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of The Year Awards which will be held in Monte Carlo next June.
Frank O’Keeffe, Ernst & Young Partner-in-Charge of the Entrepreneur of The Year Programme, spoke of the immense value that is being created by Irish pioneers and innovators as they continue to push the boundaries of possibility in an effort to ignite the long-term economic recovery of this island:
“Edmond Harty is an outstanding example of the phenomenal levels of creativity, commitment, ambition and determination that are required to effectively lead one of the most successful mechanical engineering businesses currently operating within the international arena and we are delighted to bestow this prestigious honour upon him this evening.
“By maintaining his company’s position at the cutting edge of global innovation, Edmond has built and developed an indigenous Irish business that today exports over 70 percent of its production to customers in over 40 countries, worldwide.
The domestic and international success that Edmond - and indeed each of our finalists - has achieved, further demonstrates that an unwavering sense of self-belief, combined with an ability to seize opportunities, even in the midst of adversity, will ultimately reap rewards.”
Martin Naughton, Chairman of Glen Dimplex, the world’s leading manufacturer of electrical heating products, received this year’s Special Award for his outstanding contributions to the development and progression of Ireland’s commercial, educational and artistic life. Each year, the Special Award is presented to an individual who has contributed in a profound and meaningful way to the benefit of the entire island, whilst operating outside the traditional business arena.
In congratulating the winners, Tom Hayes, Head of Entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, spoke of the significance of Ireland’s position as an entrepreneurial economy and the importance of recognising those who are driving the culture and spirit of enterprise across the island of Ireland, saying:
“Ireland is now regarded as a highly entrepreneurial country. The Ernst & Young Programme provides an ideal platform through which to acclaim the achievements of these exceptional entrepreneurs and it is vital that we acknowledge the commitment and vision of those working within our most innovative companies to generate significant sales, exports, and much needed employment for this island.”
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are part of a global recognition programme, to identify, acclaim and support entrepreneurs and is currently run in over 55 countries, across six continents. The Irish programme, now in its 15th year, continues to go from strength-to-strength, championing the spirit of enterprise and creating a new era of opportunities for participants.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
