Irish blue limestone producers and processors McKeon Stone are the second of this year\'s finalists in the DHL-sponsored All Ireland Export Awards.

McKeon Stone were established in 1950 and extract and process limestone for use in buildings, sculpture and memorials. They employ 50 people and, say DHL, have established themselves as the biggest exporters of Irish blue limestone having established a network of local distributors in countries such as Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, the UK and, more recently, Germany and the USA. Exports now account for 42% of their sales.

McKeon Stone were presented with their DHL Export Award by Noel Byrne, strategic business director of DHL Worldwide Express.

He said: "It\'s great to see a business with such a rich tradition of skilled stone craft passed from one generation to another continue to grow from strength to strength.

"The availability of good quality raw material, the market strength of its distributor channel network together with McKeon Stone\'s continuous investment in the latest quarrying and cutting techniques has ensured an Irish exporting success."

Receiving the Award, Niall Kavanagh, managing director of McKeon Stone, said: "We are delighted to be recognised for our achievements by the DHL Export Awards\' judging panel. This is a great boost to our dedicated employees and can only enhance our reputation doing business overseas."

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