During the South African Conference, Jeremy met with one of the key nurses Prilly Stevens, who has recently retired. Prilly had been working voluntarily in Kenya, helping to train some ET Nurses.

Last year alone, turnover grew by 20% and is on target to grow by an additional 30% this year. Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and member of the judging panel, remarked, “Companies in the SME Category are superb role models of the type of entrepreneurial, innovative and export driven business that Northern Ireland needs for faster economic growth. I am confident that these companies will go on to become industry leaders and thereby encourage others to follow the trails they are blazing”.

TG Eakin Ltd was also commended in two further categories in the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards. ‘Business Team of the Year ‘ recognised the people orientated approach to management and the excellent level of service delivered by the company. The commendation in ‘Exporting Achievement’ reflected on the company’s success since they began exporting in 1992. In the past 2 years exports have extended to seven new countries and in 2009 TG Eakin Ltd introduced its first “franchise” companies in Holland and Germany.

Both judging panels were hugely impressed by the success of TG Eakin Ltd as a whole. Among the key factors contributing to this success is the strong relationships built with their distributors, regular business planning, high employee morale, an innovative approach to manufacturing and an excellent service quality.