Reliance, the Cork-headquartered industrial engineering and robotics component distributor, has appointed former tánaiste Simon Coveney as a non-executive director.
The ex-Fine Gael TD for Cork South-Central – who held senior Cabinet positions during his career, including minister for foreign affairs during the Brexit negotiations – said he was honoured to join the Reliance board in a non-executive capacity.
The company, which distributes a range of mechanical, electrical and agricultural products, specialising in automation and robotics, is based in Little Island, Co Cork but opened a 6,0000 sq ft facility on the eastern outskirts of Limerick City in 2019.
This year marks the fourth-generation family business’s 100th year in business since its foundation by Horace Rhodes Kenworthy as the Reliance Bearing and Gear Company in 1925.
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Peter Creighton, chief executive of Reliance, said Mr Coveney’s “extensive experience and proven leadership” will be an important addition to the company. ”
Mr Coveney, who stood aside from politics after declining to stand in last year’s general election, said he looked forward to working with the board to help “steer the company towards even greater achievements ahead”.
He said: “Throughout my political career, I have always emphasised the vital role family enterprises play in the economy. Joining one with a 100-year legacy is an opportunity I value greatly.”
According to Reliance’s most recently available set of accounts, the company employed some 48 people in the Republic at the end of 2023, generating revenues of more than €17.6 million in the year, mostly related to domestic sales.
Mr Creighton said the company, a finalist in the 2025 Cork Chamber Company of the Year awards, is poised for growth in the coming years.
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