Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength. In 2021, the company announced a significant expansion, with the purchase of its new offices and showrooms in Cork’s Hollymount Industrial Estate.

The company has offices in Cork, Kerry, and Clare, placing it at the forefront of renewable solutions in Munster.

In addition, Energywise has announced plans to create 100 skilled jobs across its sites to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient solutions, with a new office planned for Ennis.

The company employed 125 people in 2024, having almost doubled its staff numbers in just two years.

Energywise specialises in renewable-energy solutions to reduce carbon footprints, with some of its key initiatives including solar-energy solutions, heat-pump installations, and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.

As an SEAI-registered ‘one-stop shop’, the company manages energy efficiency projects from design to completion.

“These initiatives align with broader national efforts in Ireland to decarbonise the energy sector and meet ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, which have already begun showing significant results,” Energywise said.

The company’s products are aimed at both domestic and commercial markets, with Energywise forming partnerships with major companies, including Flogas and Musgrave, to support decarbonisation efforts.

Energywise has also worked closely with several local authorities, completing a number of retrofit projects on behalf of both the Cork and Kerry county councils and Cork City Council, contributing towards the country’s overall retrofitting targets.

“Every step Energywise Ireland has taken, since opening in 2009, is part of an effort to combat climate change and improve our world’s environment,” the company added.

In addition to increasing its workforce, Energywise remains committed to advancing Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, which targets a 51% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030.

“Future efforts will focus on enhancing energy efficiency for homes and businesses, through more renewable energy products, including larger-scale solar installations, heating systems, and EV infrastructure,” the company said

“Overall, Energywise Ireland is positioning itself as a key player in Ireland’s shift towards a greener economy, by supporting both technological innovation and job growth in the renewable energy sector.”

Granite Digital to grow its workforce across key markets

Formed more than 15 years ago in 2009, Cork-founded Granite Digital has become Ireland’s largest digital agency.

Under Conor Buckley, Granite CEO (pictured), the company has grown 30% year-on-year across Ireland, Europe, the US, and UAE, delivering digital business strategies, web development, digital marketing, eCommerce and data science to local and global brands.

As a regional employer, Granite employs 140 team members in its Cork office, located on Lapps Quay, but has also expanded into the US where it achieved 400% business growth in its second year. Most recently, the company established itself in the Middle East, opening its first office in Dubai.

Granite caters to a diverse range of clients, from SMEs to BlueChip brands including Fota Island, Tesco Mobile, Workvivo by Zoom, Pfizer, Aer Lingus, Wisetek, Teamwork and Supermacs. Granite also boasts technology partnerships with Kentico, Umbraco, WP Engine and Microsoft.

In the past year, the company has achieved 41% growth, generating revenues of more than €15m.

“This success stems from our strategic acquisitions, pivotal in building specialist in-house teams,” the company said. “We have completed 13 agency acquisitions, including the renowned design practice WONDR and data science specialist Coalface.

Granite added that these additions will enhance its capabilities, enabling them to compete with global giants like Accenture, EY and Deloitte.

In the past three years, Granite has earned more than 70 awards which included three NY Emmy nominations for Special Event Coverage and Long Form Content.

Looking forward, the company said it will focus on driving significant growth, including a 600% increase in US revenue and an overall growth of 41%.

“We plan a major expansion in to the US, Leveraging the technical capabilities developed over 15 years in Ireland.”

Granite has also set a goal to triple its workforce to more than 400 employees through significant growth in the US, Middle East and the UK.

Key to this strategy is the acquisition of overseas agencies that will operate with shared services based in Ireland to operational efficiency.

“Our strong track record in digital transformation projects positions us for rapid growth as companies increasingly adopt new technologies to boost productivity,” said Granite.

Following its expansion in Dubai, the company said it is also “poised to capitalise on Middle Eastern opportunities,” with aims to grow revenue to €50m by 2028.

“We aim to do this through strategic acquisitions, enhanced proprietary tools and strengthened client relationships, positioning us as leaders in digital transformation and marketing technology solutions.”

Keohane Seafoods aims to replicate Irish success abroad

Since its establishment in 2010, West Cork’s Keohane Seafoods has seen its turnover grow rapidly as it grows its export markets.

The firm is the final of the three to be nominated in the Large Company of the Year category at the upcoming Cork Chamber awards.

Founded by Mike Keohane and his sons, Colman and Brian, the company operates three production facilities in Cork, with its product range catering to both Irish and global markets.

These include fresh and frozen fish fillets, prawns, ready-to-cook seafood meals, and value-added seafood products including smoked salmon and marinated fish.

Keohane Seafoods has continued to innovate its offerings, developing microwavable pouches for Irish and EU retailers, as well as launching the first “cook at home” seafood meal range with an Irish retailer.

It also created a lightly smoked salmon product, now sold in Ireland and the UK.

Employing more than 250 people across its three sites, the company says its strongest indicator of customer satisfaction is its double-digit annual sales growth.

“We have rapidly grown our turnover from zero to circa €100m, while continuously creating new job opportunities,” it said.

“Our commitment to innovation remains strong, and we aim to promote the Cork area as an attractive destination for investment and a great place to live.”

To date, the West Cork business has received several awards, including Tesco Supplier of the Year in 2021 and the Irish Quality Food and Drink Award in 2021 for its organic salmon.

Keohane Seafoods is also a member of Origin Green, which is the world’s only national food and drink sustainability programme.

Keohane Seafoods says it has ambitious plans for the future, with its strategy aiming to add a further €60m in revenues over the next three years, reflecting growth of around 20% per annum.

“The strategy focuses on sustainability, innovation, and market expansion to strengthen our position in the seafood industry,” said the company.

“The plan will primarily be focused on major retailers and offering new and expanded ranges of seafood to our existing customers.”

The company added that a major objective in the next three years will be to increase its focus on key export markets, where it hopes to replicate the success it has experienced in Ireland.

“The initial export targets will be the UK, Germany, and US markets.

“We have recently opened our third production facility, a Ready to Eat factory involving a €15m investment.

“The products manufactured in that plant will be a major focus for our future growth plans.”