Sam Moffett, managing director and founder of Moffett Automated Storage Ltd in Monaghan, has been named best Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EoY) awards held on Thursday.
Founded in 2017, Moffett Automated Storage employs 65 people, and specialises in providing automated pallet storage and warehousing solutions for clients, from design and manufacturing to installation and support.
EY praised the “disruptive and dynamic business” for the cost, operational and sustainability benefits it offers to clients.
The company allows clients to double the storage capacity within existing warehouse facilities, and for clients in the cold storage industry to reduce energy usage by 50 per cent.
Sam Moffett, who left school at 17 to work in the family business, is the son of Robert Moffett, co-founder of Combilift, and previously the driving force behind Moffett Engineering. The family business synonymous with the success of the Moffet Mounty truck mounted forklift.
Moffett Automated Storage has completed projects across Britain, continental Europe, US and UAE, with 65 per cent of turnover this year generated by projects outside of Ireland.
Accepting the award for best emerging entrepreneur, Mr Moffett thanked his wife and family, as well as his dedicated staff.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to what this is going to bring forward for my business and the team within that business,” he told The Irish Times.
“There’s been entrepreneurs the whole way through on all sides of my family, on my mother’s and father’s side. I’m just blessed that I can bring something home to the whole family, it’s a recognition for everybody,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr Moffett said that the plan is to “keep growing, see where we can go, and keep pushing international sales”.
“This whole EY programme could bring us to a new height as well, so we’ll see where that brings us,” he added.
Nominees in the emerging entrepreneur category have started businesses that have been trading for at least two years, are growing quickly, and are “ones to watch” for the future.
The other finalists in the emerging category were Chris Kelly, EasyGo; Rosie Connolly and Paul Quinn, 4TH ARQ; Deirdre O’Neill and Helen O’Neill, Hertility; Lauren Duggan, Fiona Parfrey and Aine Kilkenny, Riley; Declan Wynne, Skanstec; Ray Nangle and Geraldine Killian, The Lunch Bag.
