‘Getting closer to our costs’
Kennedy’s Agridirect is on the cusp of a major €1 million investment in its Ballyconnell business, leading the way for the creation of 10 more jobs.
The local business has established itself as Ireland’s leading online retailers of agri products. The assistance provided by Cavan LEO has played a significant role in maximising efficiencies in the business.
It started with a Mentorship grant, with SalesPlus business consultants from Monaghan called in to upskill the business’s accounts department.
“We’re now doing monthly management accounts, and they brought our IT system into line. It has made a serious difference because we’re monitoring the business on a monthly basis rather than every six months,” says Agridirect owner Martin Kennedy.
The intervention has “made a big difference” to the day-to-day management of the firm.
“It has got us an awful lot closer to our costs, and allows us to react in real time to fluctuations in the business.”
An Energy Efficiency Grant followed, with a consultant drafted in to examine Agridirect’s expansion plans.
Upgraded lighting and electric car charging points are now included in the planned works due to start soon.
Agridirect is also looking to invest in a shredder so that it can repurpose all the product packaging it gets as packing.
“We do a lot of e-commerce, and we’re using packaging all the time. We’re also looking at solar panels as well, and to see how we can leave ourselves as energy efficient as possible.”
* To read about Local Enterprise Week's programme of events and how Cavan LEO can help your business, click here.