Four year old ABC Nutrition scoops top exporting title

Co Clare based ABC Nutrition has won the Exporter of the Year Award 2011 for its performance in export markets with its range of sports nutrition and other health nutrition products.

It also won the Emerging Exporter of the Year award because of its exceptional performance with particular attention paid to the marketing strategy employed.

The judging panel paid tribute to the company’s new product, developed in conjunction with a cardiovascular surgeon, which is aimed at the ‘greying’ market with the aim of improving arterial health and reducing blood pressure.

The company expects to employ 13 people next year and to have an annual turnover in excess of €5 million with some 83pc accounted for by exports.

Company director Willie Wixted recognised the support ABC Nutrition has received from the likes of Bord Bia and Clare County Enterprise Board, and implored Minister Richard Bruton TD to continue to foster an environment to help small businesses. “We don’t have the time to fill out 400 pages of paperwork,” he said.

President of the Irish Exporters Association Mark Fitzgerald said that Irish exporters, despite the sovereign debt concerns which are producing a global climate of uncertainty, are still managing to show credible growth.

“They are proving that with the right strategy and vision that export growth can still be achieved,” he said.

Photo: Minister Richard Bruton TD, Wille Wixted of ABC Nutrition in Shannon, Co Clare and Mark Fitzgerald, president, Irish Exporters Association