We are pleased to introduce the finalists in the SME Category of the Cork Company of the Year Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the strength, resilience and contribution of Cork’s business community, recognising companies that play a vital role in driving sustainable growth across the region.
This year’s SME finalists demonstrate consistent performance and a clear commitment to their customers, people and markets. Through operational excellence and adaptability, they continue to build successful businesses that contribute meaningfully to Cork’s economic landscape.
Thanks to our awards sponsor KPMG and to our media partner The Irish Examiner for their continued support in making the Cork Company of the Year Awards a highlight of Cork’s business calendar.
Watch the finalist videos below and discover the stories behind this year’s SME category finalists in the Irish Examiner <HERE>.
SME Category Finalists Cork Company of the Year Awards 2026
Allfresh
Allfresh is a family-owned fruit and vegetable wholesaler supplying high-quality fresh produce and foodservice products to hospitality and food businesses across Cork and Kerry. With a strong focus on reliability and customer service, the business has built trusted relationships across the region for over three decades.
Keohane Readymix
Keohane Readymix is a family-owned business designing, manufacturing and supplying readymix concrete, blocks and aggregates for farming, residential and large-scale construction projects across Cork. With a focus on quality and customer relationships, the company has built long-standing partnerships across the region.
Réalta Technologies
Réalta Technologies is a Cork-born automation, digital systems and data analytics company delivering advanced solutions that help organisations optimise operations and unlock value across sectors including pharma, manufacturing and medtech. With a strong focus on expertise, partnerships and customer outcomes, the business supports leading organisations in Ireland and internationally.
A Local Green Deal (LGD) is an award-winning partnership model designed to deliver tangible, city-level climate action. To participate you must be located within Cork City boundaries (including business parks) and be able to commit to several climate action measures on energy & climate action, circular economy, transport & mobility, biodiversity, supply chain and staff & community engagement. Join the growing network of Cork organisations driving local climate action, contact Dr. Alicia Mateos-Cárdenas, REEValue & Sustainability Lead.
Read our latest international case study to discover how Farsons, Malta's leading brewer and beverage producer, is becoming more energy efficient and investing in their value chain through REEValue. To be featured in an upcoming case study, contact Dr. Alicia Mateos-Cárdenas, REEValue & Sustainability Lead.
The Economic Trends survey gathered insights into Cork Chamber members' experience of doing business across October, November and December 2025. Confidence in the Irish economy reached the highest level recorded in 2025 at 80% in Q4.
At the close of 2025, respondents were also asked about Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026. Looking ahead to the Presidency, respondents emphasised the importance of prioritising economic competitiveness and the simplification of regulatory frameworks, as well as delivering regional benefits by hosting events and activities in Cork and other locations.
If you have any feedback that can inform the Chamber's submissions to the following public consultations, please contact Aoife, amoriarty@corkchamber.ie:
Get ready to supercharge your network with this fast paced, high-energy session designed to connect you with up to 20 new contacts in a short amount of time.
This event is especially valuable for SMEs, offering a practical space to refine your elevator pitch, build genuine new business relationships, gain referrals and strengthen existing connections.
Discover how internal performance translates directly into external reputation, trust and brand credibility.
Hear from leaders with deep expertise in organisational culture, elite performance and behavioural psychology to explore what truly drives long-term success.
This event will be valuable for both indigenous and multinational companies who are looking to start, maintain or grow their R&D activities in Ireland.
You will hear from Mark O’Sullivan, Partner and Head of R&D Incentives, BDO Ireland, who will provide insights and strategies on the R&D Tax Credit and Grant incentives, while also outlining ways to minimise administrative obstacles and risk and maximise efficiency with the end goal being to allow businesses to focus on their R&D.
Mary Considine leads the management team at Iarnród Éireann, driving the organisation’s vision to be the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Irish Rail's strategic plans and investment priorities including key developments to support sustainable, reliable and connected rail services in Cork and across the region.
The Compliance Institute, in partnership with Cork Chamber and the Cork Financial Services Forum invite you to attend an in-person event Guardrails and Guidance: Navigating AI in Financial Services.
As financial institutions move from awareness to action on AI governance, many are asking: what does good actually look like in practice?
This session goes beyond the theory of compliance to explore how firms can translate regulatory expectations into tangible, effective governance frameworks.
Every January, Blue Monday resurfaces as the ‘most depressing day of the year.’ While the scientific merits of the concept itself have been discredited, its annual appearance does serve as a timely reminder of how Employee wellbeing directly influences HR outcomes. In an increasingly competitive labour market, Employee wellbeing has moved from the margins of HR policy to a more central component in strategic decision-making. Forward-thinking organisations are recognising that sustained investment in employee wellbeing delivers measurable benefits for organisational performance, resilience and long-term growth.
