Over the last hundred years, JJ Kavanagh & Sons has developed a proud track record and tradition in Ireland as a brand leader in passenger transport. The Urlingford, County Kilkenny bus and coach operators’ mission is to provide customers with the highest levels of service, quality, comfort, and safety. The company has recently been honoured with the All-Star Kilkenny Business of the Year 2020 award.
Commenting on the family firms latest success, Laura Kavanagh, Commercial Director said: “On behalf of JJ Kavanagh & Sons, we are hugely proud of achieving our second Business All-Star Accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation, for companies who are dedicated to the pursuit of Business Excellence. The Accreditation process gave us the opportunity to reflect on our brand story, growth strategy and above all the value we create for our customers. JJ Kavanagh & Sons would like to thank all members of staff, as we would not have won this award without their commitment to continuously striving for excellence.”
Announcing this development Kieran Ring Deputy Chairperson of the AIBF’s accreditation board said: “In naming JJ Kavanagh & Sons as our choice as Kilkenny Company of the Year 2021, we are paying tribute to the company’s enduring legacy and its unwavering commitment to the county of its birth. On the national stage JJ Kavanagh has risen to become the preeminent provider of public transport services however it has remained committed to its Kilkenny roots and is a best in class example of thinking local while acting national. Congratulations to all directors and staff at the company.”
This is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on a rigorous selection criteria. The accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr. Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics. Dr. Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by over 350 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by. “We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics,” Dr. Hynes said.
