Ireland is allocating 22 billion euro to transform into a low-carbon economy by 2050. The private sector in turn is doing its part to export its own expertise globally
Martin Naughton is one of Ireland’s most prominent industrialists and philanthropists. His efforts in promoting the private sector’s contribution to peace and environmental sustainability led him to become the first Irish honoree of the Oslo Business for Peace Award, previously given to Elon Musk and Sir Richard Branson. Naughton’s valued diplomatic voice aided peace on the Irish border, while his contributions to society and determination in sponsoring future generations to change the world are renown. Naughton was awarded as an Honorary Knight of the British Empire, and undoubtedly has a remarkable life. The company he founded, Glen Dimplex Group, has in parallel had a remarkable journey.
Acting as the Founder and Chairman of Glen Dimplex Group, Martin Naughton has transformed the company.From humble beginnings in 1973 as a small manufacturing facility employing seven people in Northern Ireland, the company is now the world’s largest manufacturer of domestic heating appliances. Glen Dimplex Group, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, holds a significant global market position in domestic appliances, cooling, ventilation and renewable energy solutions.
Always looking forward, Glen Dimplex Group is at the forefront of a low-carbon revolution, with an unrivaled range of solutions in space and water heating, cooling, ventilation and heat recovery. It is a global leader in research and development and has a track record in developing breakthrough technologies.Naughton realized early on how critical R&D is to create game-changing innovation, and continues to be involved in major projects around the world.
He stated, “If you do not innovate, you will evaporate, and this saying is a driver for Glen Dimplex. Every heater we make is a smart heater full of sensors. If we have a heater in the room and people are not in the room, the sensors will detect this and turn off. If you open a window, the heater will sense it is not needed and turn off. We seek to bring maximum comfort at an affordable cost. In Ireland and across the world, the energy landscape is changing at an extraordinary pace, and the sector faces new challenges we are rising up to meet.”
As buildings are the largest energy consumer in the world, Glen Dimplex Group’s solutions can have a lasting impact on creating a greener, cleaner world. Electricity from carbon-neutral generation is the cleanest energy carrier. The group offers solutions that include low temperature networks, mechanical ventilation systems, heat pump technology, water cylinders, direct acting heating electric panel heaters, and smart electric thermal storage systems.
Beyond the boardroom, the visionary, Naughton leads a full life, and is a Trustee emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. While sitting in his Dublin apartment, Naughton was smiling while sharing captivating stories of meeting scholars he has sponsored, and shared his optimism for future generations. This optimism was echoed in his ambitious growth strategy for Glen Dimplex. He stated with conviction, “The USA represents the biggest growth potential for the group, and we are very bullish. We will grow our American operations in three ways: new products, new markets and acquisitions. If we don’t triple our US operations over the next five years, I will be very disappointed.”
Naughton also mentioned the over looming cloud, “Despite the challenges, Brexit is making Ireland and Glen Dimplex more international. Businesses do not like uncertainty, and considering the repercussions Brexit may bring, a lot of investment will be moving out of London and coming into Ireland. Ireland is incredibly stable, and perhaps the most pro-American country in the world. Ireland will be the only English speaking country in the EU, and attractive from an American business point of view. Ireland can easily become the European base for a US company.”
For global companies, Glen Dimplex Group exemplifies the benefits of running their global operations in Ireland. The group has global sales above 1.5 billion euro a year. For over half a century, the group has built a global reputation, and its innovative products are in millions of homes. Martin Naughton passed the baton onto his son, Fergal Naughton, who has already accomplished tremendous strides as the Chief Executive Officer. Glen Dimplex Group continues to amass hundreds of industry firsts and sustains an impressive portfolio of worldwide patents. With the Naughtons at the helm, the journey of Glen Dimplex Group is electric.