FOUR renowned and respected industry veterans have been named as the second tranche of inductees into the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Hall of Fame, which recognises stalwarts who have made an exceptional contribution to manufacturing and engineering.
The honour was bestowed on the quartet at a leadership summit in Derry's Guildhall, held as the culmination of NI Manufacturing Month
The inductees are John Bosco O’Hagan, founder and group chairman of Specialist Group; Walter Watson, founder of Walter Watson Ltd; Mark Hutchinson, chief executive of Hutchinson Engineering; and George Fleming, chairman and founder of Fleming Agri Products.
As part of the Hall of Fame selection criteria, inductees need to have started or grown a Northern Irish business significantly and sustainably over the last two decades at least; enhanced the region’s manufacturing reputation through sectoral or product development; are highly respected by peers, employees and communities in which their businesses operate; or contributes to community initiatives or charitable or sporting causes.
Manufacturing NI chief executive Stephen Kelly said: “John Bosco, Walter, Mark and George are talented and compassionate leaders who have worked tirelessly to create and sustain jobs, ensure their products and services remain innovative and at the cutting edge, and have helped put Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector on the global map.
“The hard work of these four leaders and their peers over decades, through good times and bad for Northern Ireland, means that this small part of the world has a thriving international reputation for manufacturing and engineering excellence. I congratulate and thank them for their efforts throughout their careers.”
