Address by Mr. Noel Treacy T.D. Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce

at the Topform Silver Oscars Awards in the Radisson Hotel, Lough Atalia Galway on Friday 9^th November, 2001 at 8p.m

I am delighted to be here in Galway, this evening at the “Topform Silver Oscars Awards”, marking the 25^th Anniversary of Topform Ltd., a wholly owned Irish company since an Management Buy Out in 1996 led by Paul Glynn.

Since then the fortunes of the company have changed dramatically and it has gone from strength to strength. This company, which has a young and dynamic workforce, has trebled sales turnover and current employment of 45 people, is projected to reach 65 people by 2003. The company is export growth led with new markets in Belgium, Netherlands and France.

Topform was set up originally in 1976 in the Shannon Free Zone by Canadian interests to manufacture timber skirting and door architrave products. The company did not perform well in intensely competitive markets. Their competitors, invested more heavily in better equipment. As the market grew Topform did not.

Then - it is reported in the folklore of Topform - two senior managers from Amherst International in Canada were sent to Germany to a furniture exhibition to find new markets for their timber skirting and door architrave products. They found themselves at the wrong exhibition where only furniture was on display. There they noticed that kitchen worktops were not as advanced as those in Canada and the USA. At the same exhibition they met the IDA who encouraged them to make worktops in Ireland for the UK market.

In 1986, Mr. Sean Stewart, a local Galway businessman, bought Topform from the Canadians. He revitalised the company and with Paul Glynn as Sales Director, brought the concept of value added components to the business. “Sean oversaw the first resurgence of the company leaving a platform from which the current management team took-off”.

In 1996, Sean sold Topform to Paul Glynn. The new management introduced sound manufacturing principles, including World Class Manufacturing. New financial and computers systems for up to the minute information were also introduced.

The first year was one of consolidation, in order to stem the flow of customers and get the company on a firmer footing. The next four years saw sales reach record heights. There was compound growth in excess of 25% per annum. This was a very exciting time for the company, with new products, customers and profit.

By 2000, this company had completed two phases of expansion. Two factory extensions later, Topform has doubled the space originally occupied. Modern high quality industrial buildings were constructed. The company also invested in the infrastructure of the site including a new car park, loading and unloading areas, a modern dust extraction, and an environmental burning system for waste. Its waste reduction programme has reduced its landfill requirements despite the growth in production.

The ability of Topform to understand a changing market place and to respond to customers needs through ongoing innovation in product and process and highly added unlikely products, is to be commended. It has enhanced its position in home and export markets with quality products.

I congratulate Mr. Paul Glynn and all of the staff of Topform and wish this wonderful company many more years of success.