The Chanelle Group was named Ireland’s Exporter of the Year 2016 by the Irish Exporters Association.

In addition to wining the overall Award, Chanelle also won the Life Sciences Exporter of the Year and Export Innovation of the Year award categories.

The Chanelle Group export human and veterinary products to over 80 countries worldwide.

The Export Industry Awards 2016 recognises the remarkable achievements of companies working in the export industry in Ireland and Chanelle saw off stiff competition from other companies across a range of sectors.

These latest awards for the Loughrea headquartered generic pharmacuetical company follows on from the prestigious ‘Pharma Project of the Year Award ‘ awarded to Chanelle at Ireland’s Pharma Industry Awards 2016.

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Paschal McCarthy, President of the Irish Exporters Association commended the Chanelle Group on their achievements.

“This year has been the most competitive yet in the standard of award entrants but our judges were struck by the Chanelle Group’s pioneering approach to product innovation, in particular, the development of super generics, a key factor in the company’s substantial growth in recent years.

Over the past 12 months Chanelle has catapulted to become a key player in the pharmaceutical industry.

“The company has surpassed industry norms in areas of product development and commercialisation and they have ambitious growth plans.

“We wish The Chanelle Group every success in the years to come,” he said.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland with Michael Burke, founder and managing director, Chanelle Group at the Irish Exporter of the Year Awards 2016

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland with Michael Burke, founder and managing director, Chanelle Group at the Irish Exporter of the Year Awards 2016

Michael Burke, Founder and Managing Director, of Chanelle Group which is Ireland’s largest indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturer said he was delighted to accept the awards on behalf of a fantastic team.

“Together we are putting Loughrea on the global stage as a centre of Pharmaceutical excellence and it is a tribute to the combined efforts of our people that Chanelle is being recognised in Ireland and worldwide for its manufacturing excellence, its innovation and its exporting success.

Over 60% of our business is now in exports, up 127% over the last five years.

He added that Enterprise Ireland has strongly supported the Chanelle Group and he thanked Julie Sinnamon, CEO and her team for their continued support of the company.

“2016 has been a year to remember for Chanelle Group, we started the year with the announcement by Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD of our company expansion; we successfully launched our new super generic drug Rheumocam and we’re finishing the year on a high as Irish Exporter of the Year.

“Our journey is only beginning and we’re looking forward to continued growth in 2017,” he said.