Abbey Upholsterers win FSBNI award

Abbey Upholsterers, based in Carrickfergus, have been named the Federation of Small Business Northern Ireland Family Business of the Year 2020.

The local firm who are 100% family owned have been providing high quality bespoke furniture, specialist joinery and fit out solutions for over 90 years. From some of the world’s leading 5-star hotel properties, including Galgorm Resort, Midlands Hotel, Manchester, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, to the most spectacular private residences and even football stadia, Abbey Upholsterers are renowned for delivering superior quality interior fit-outs. The company have worked hard to establish a reputation as one of the leading specialist commercial fit-out and upholstery providers in Ireland and the UK.

Like all companies, Abbey Upholsterers has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with many of their 2020 orders being postponed or paused. The company has been resilient and after the period of obligatory furlough have returned all staff to the factory and are working again against a solid order book for 2021.

Speaking about the award, Managing Director Paul Devlin said “Following a difficult year for all businesses we were delighted to be recognised by the FSB and are looking forward to the UK finals later in the year. We are confident that in 2021 business will prosper with increased employment and productivity.”

Graham Whitehurst, Chair of the Mid & East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force said “Abbey Upholsterers are one of the key employers in the borough and I am delighted that they have been recognised by FSB NI with this award. Congratulations to all the team. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and BREXIT we look forward to continuing to work with them on the MTF exploring key business issues in 2021.”

The family owned business, which employs over 100 people, now enter the UK finals of the FSB Awards.

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