Newry Chamber honour Glen Dimplex founder Martin Naughton

The Chamber’s President’s Award is bestowed upon visionary leaders from the business community who have made a positive and enduring impact on the Greater Newry Area.

Presenting the award to Martin Naughton, Julie Gibbons, President of Newry Chamber said: “Martin has been an inspiration not just to businesses in Newry, but businesses on these islands and across the globe.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of his Glen Electric business in Newry. Moving into an empty factory in August 1973, with no machines and no workers, would be a very daunting challenge at any time, let alone 1973 when Newry was a very different place.

"Undaunted, and with confidence in the new Glen Electric business and in the ability of his young workforce recruited from the local dole office, the company delivered their first products after just two months.

"A remarkable achievement which was the first small step in a remarkable business journey turning his family-owned Glen Electric business into the global Glen Dimplex Group.

"The group is now one of the world’s major manufacturers of domestic appliances and the world’s largest producer of electric heaters, with brands such as Dimplex, Morphy Richards, Belling and Xpelair.

"His story is another global success story for Newry. From small beginnings Glen Dimplex now has a worldwide turnover of more than €1.5 billion. It employs 10,000 people and has 28 manufacturing plants worldwide in the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, and the U.S.A.

"Martin is another entrepreneurial success which started in Newry, a truly inspirational leader our business community is immensely proud of, and a worthy recipient of the 2023 Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade’s President’s Award.”