Lawrence Engineering is named Overall Winner of the Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards 2026

The winners of the Small Firms Association (SFA) National Small Business Awards 2026 have been announced. The awards celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and recognise the important and vital contributions of this sector to the Irish economy. Forty-eight finalists and five ‘Emerging New Businesses’ were selected from hundreds of applications received for the 2026 programme.

Lawrence Engineering was named as Overall National SFA Small Business Winner 2026.

Lawrence Engineering is a family-owned precision engineering and contract manufacturing company founded in 1984 by Michael Lawrence and led since 2019 by his son James. Renowned for innovation and advanced manufacturing capability, the company delivers high quality injection moulds, extrusion tooling, precision components, and subassemblies.

Manufacturing excellence has been central to Lawrence Engineering’s evolution, particularly as it has grown into a trusted international supplier to leading medical device manufacturers. Over the past five years, the company has transformed from a primarily domestic operation into a global partner, now serving customers across 12 international markets including the USA, Costa Rica, Turkey, Spain, and India.

SFA Director, David Broderick said: “I am delighted that we are continuing to grow a programme that positions the small businesses as the backbone of the Irish economy. Congratulations to all the finalists each of whom represent the very best in small business and all are winners. The entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners continues to drive social and economic activity in communities across the country. Without them the lifeblood of our streets, towns, and villages will vanish.”

The ten category winners are:

Manufacturing Award sponsored by PTSB: Hygeia, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Highly Commended: K Factory Print& Embroidery, Dublin

Food and Drink Award sponsored by Bord Bia: Builín Blasta, An Spidéal, Co. Galway

Highly Commended: Pizza da Piero, Dublin

Services sponsored by Sage: Company Bureau, Dublin

Outstanding Small Business Award sponsored by Elavon: Donna Reilly People & Wellness, Dublin

Family Business Award sponsored by Interpath: Dromod Boxty, Drumod, Co. Leitrim

Highly Commended: Boxty House, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Innovation Award sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI):

JPK Fencing, Claregalway, Co. Galway

Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland: Lawrence Engineering, Lavagh, Co. Sligo

Sustainability Award sponsored by Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI):

Dingle Sea Salt, Dun Chaoin, Co. Kerry

Workplace Wellbeing Award sponsored by DeCare: 3Q Recruitment, Dublin

The Emerging New Business award sponsored by Microfinance Ireland is a category to encourage emerging entrepreneurs to promote and grow their business.

The winners are:

• Biovit Technologies, Dublin
• Career Navigator, Dublin
• ealu, Co. Wicklow
• Four Acre Foods, Co. Meath
• Irish Camper Goods, Galway City

Entrants in this category are under two years in business and the winners were identified by the judging panel as companies that will grow into successful organisations.

The Awards prize package for ALL finalists included a strategic management masterclass; participation in the SFA Business Connect event in February last, media exposure in a special supplement published with the Irish Independent yesterday, 5 March). The total prize for finalists is valued at €50,000 each.

The category winners were presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year.

Skillnet Ireland are sponsors of the awards management training and media partner is Irish Independent.

ENDS

Issued by Jonathan McDade, Public Affairs Lead SFA, Jonathan.mcdade@ibec.ie

01 6051776/087188 2951

For interviews, please contact Jonathan McDade.

EDITORS' NOTES:

• Photo: Presenting the Overall Small Firms Association National Small Business Award 2025
• From L to R: SFA Director, David Broderick; Managing Director of Lawrence Engineering, James Lawrence; Pat Benson; SFA Chair & Co-Founder of Idiro Analytics, Geraldine Magnier.

Full details are on the SFA Awards website at www.sfaawards.ie or follow us on Instagram: @SFA_Irl #SFAAwards2026