Enterprise Ireland Agritechnica stand

Three FTMTA member firms, Abbey Machinery, Malone Farm Machinery and Denis Doyle Engineering, participated in an Irish stand organised by Enterprise Ireland at the recent Agrictechnica Show in Hannver under the tagline “Ireland – Source your Agritech Advantage”.

FTMTA welcomes this first such participation by Enterprise Ireland in support of Ireland’s farm machinery manufacturing sector at the largest showcase for such products in the world. The association has developed a good working relationship with Enterprise Ireland in support of our Irish machinery manufacturing members in recent years and looks forward to the development of concepts such at this year’s Agritechnica presence in the future.

Abbey Machinery MD receives UL alumni award

Clodagh Cavanagh, managing director of FTMTA member firm Abbey Machinery, was recognised by the University of Limerick Alumni Association at the 12th Annual UL Alumni Awards held recently. This annual event celebrates the outstanding achievements of graduates of the University of Limerick and Clodagh, a 2003 BBS graduate of the university, was presented with an award for her contribution to business.

A native of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Clodagh Cavanagh became the managing director of the family business in 2012. Her grandparents, Joe and Mary Cavanagh, set up Abbey Machinery Ltd in 1947 and her father, Charles Cavanagh, took over running the business in the late 1970s. Charles oversaw the development of the business until he handed over the reins to his daughter in 2012.

Growing up, Clodagh was always enthused with the ethos of the family business and, in particular, she greatly admired her grandmother who became her role model. Clodagh recalls: “My grandmother was a very strong businesswoman in the 1940s, which was really unheard of then.”

Since graduating from UL, Clodagh became a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants and completed the Leadership 4 Growth CFO programme with Enterprise Ireland at Stanford University, California. Clodagh is also an active member of the FTMTA, as well as the Action For Jobs committee in the midwest region.

The ethos of the family business is still hugely evident in Abbey Machinery, with Clodagh working alongside her two brothers, Owen (director and quality manager) and Cormac (supply chain manager).