Navan homewares brand Scatters the opposition aside

A NAVAN-based homewares brand has been awarded High Potential Exporter of the Year at the 2022 Export Industry Awards.

The Irish Exporters Association announced Abbeylands Furniture T/A Scatter Box as the category winners at an event at the Mansion House earlier this month.

Now in its 20th year, over 460 export industry professionals were in attendance at the IEA’s annual flagship event which was moderated by comedian Oliver Callan.

Abbeylands Furniture T/A Scatter Box is a 2nd generation family run business. Established in 1959 by Danny Fitzpatrick and now owned by his daughter Caroline Horgan, Scatter Box now exports to over 17 countries. Manufacturing about 60% of their cushion range in their manufacturing facility in Navan.

Joined by members of the team on the evening, it was owner and CEO, Caroline Horgan with Marketing Manager, Nicola Moynihan and Logistics Manager, Eilish Carolan who took to the stage to collect the award from category sponsor Enterprise Ireland.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Caroline Horgan, CEO said: 'It is a true testament and recognition of all the hard work put in by all our team at Scatter Box.

Despite many challenges thrown at us through the years, we’ve always managed to pick up, survive, adapt, and reinvent. A huge thank you to our loyal customers. We value your trust and confidence in us and sincerely appreciate you!'

"In a year that saw one of the most competitive processes in the awards’ history, recognising tremendous achievements of companies working in international trade in Ireland, we were delighted" to be shortlisted for two awards, High Potential Exporter of the Year and Manufacturing Exporter of the Year," said Nicola Moynihan Marketing Manager.

"Each category was presided over by a prestigious judging panel who took into account a number of key factors including innovation with a focus on growth, long-term sustainability, and the company’s strategic plan. Up against some tough competition from Dotser Ltd and Olas Staffing Software Ltd., we were honoured to take home the award."

Caroline Horgan took over the helm in 1999 of the furniture manufacturing company, founded by her father in 1959. In the following years the global importation of furniture decimated indigenous Irish furniture manufacturing and many companies went to the wall despite the Celtic tiger era. Caroline’s tenacity and passion for homeware, led her to diversify the company through design into a specialist soft furnishings wholesaler.

Today, the company employs more than 35 people and is now one of Ireland’s fastest growing design led luxury home furnishing brands and exports are growing despite the current economy.

Caroline is a leading figure within the Irish furniture industry with over 40 years’ experience and was recently awarded Meath Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Based in Navan, Co. Meath, their 35,000 square foot manufacturing facility allows them to manufacture and supply luxurious cushions; hand made using material from exclusive European fabric mills and magnificent digitally printed cushions produced from their own original hand painted designs.

Alongside this they stock a range of beautiful original hand painted art, rug art, curtains, bedding and throws.

They also supply bespoke products to furniture manufacturers, hotel and leisure contractors.