Michael Ganly receives Lifetime Achievement Business Award

Michael Ganly, of the hardware retail business Ganly’s, was named as the recipient of Athlone Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Athlone Business Awards on Saturday night in the Hodson Bay Hotel.

Michael was chosen for a lifetime of dedication to business in Athlone.

A native of Inchturk, one of Lough Ree's islands, he and his parents moved to Altown, Garrycastle, when he was four.

The Ganly’s story began in 1989, with four employees, when the Michael established a builders' providers and hardware business at its original premises on Magazine Road in Athlone.

Since then, it has grown to over 100 staff across destination showrooms and stores in Athlone, Longford, and Mountbellew.

Today it offers the largest range of building supplies and products to cover both builders and home improvement projects across the Midlands.

Michael was announced as the recipient, to tumultuous applause, by Athlone Chamber President Regina Bushell who, as well as extolling his business virtues, spoke about his deep commitment to his native Athlone.

"As the driving force behind Ganly’s, Michael has spent decades building not just a thriving family business but a cornerstone of the local community. His commitment to excellence, innovation and service has made Ganly’s a trusted name throughout the Midlands," the Chamber said, in a citation.

"From humble beginnings to becoming one of the region’s most respected businesses, Michael’s leadership, integrity and vision have left a lasting mark on Athlone. His dedication to customers, staff and the wider community reflects the true spirit of local enterprise and hard work."

The Chamber that in addition to honouring Michael's "remarkable journey", it was honouring a man whose impact on Athlone would be felt for generations to come.

Accepting the award on stage in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Michael said: "I've seen a lot of people up here for this award in previous years and I'm only so delighted to get into the queue behind them."

He said he had been very lucky in life and in business and highlighted the importance of having the right support.

"When things are really in a bad way, you need good people around you," he said.

He spoke of his career to date, reflecting on his education in the Marist College, and Athlone RTC, and his first job with Athlone Hardware, and the late Seamus Ruddy. He attributed his success to the support of his family, his wife and children, and his loyal staff, including four who have been with him since he established his own business.

He stressed the importance of looking after customers, emphasising that a customer was the best advocate for a business.

"There's none of us who can run a business without customers. And I’d highlight the importance of looking after customers, respecting customers, going out of your way to look after them.

"Remember, your customer is an ambassador for you as well. Look after your customer. That's the way you look after your business."

He also outlined how timing and good fortune played a pivotal role, both when Roscommon County Council sought to buy land from him for a roundabout shortly after he had purchased his current site on the Roscommon Road, and how his store on Magazine Road, when it opened in 1989, immediately became hugely popular with soldiers coming out the back gate of Custume Barracks.

He said to supplement their wages many soldiers were involved in DIY and building trades. "They had to come out the back of the military barracks straight on to my place. And you know what? It was like building a candy shop in front of a school," he said.

He also told the over 300 guests about the tough times, and how an opportunity to appear on a new RTE television show - ‘The Takeover’, with Norah Casey, helped to turn the tide.

The series was based on the premise of encouraging staff to take charge of their workplace in a bid to improve its fortunes. It was aired in 2013 just as Ireland emerged from recession.

Admitting that he was reluctant at first, Michael said participation in the programme it had a profound impact on his business at the time.