O'Reilly's Wholesale: marking 65 years as an award-winning business

In this celebratory year it will unveil an ambitious 10 year growth plan as it embarks on a number of projects that will achieve those ambitions, expand its network throughout the island of Ireland, the rest of the UK and further export markets.

Derek O’Reilly, long-standing managing director, is very proud of what his business has achieved, especially when the hurdles of the last few years are considered.

“The company continues to incorporate the high level skill sets of our people across the business,” he said.

“We have a super workforce supported at all times by our top management team. We employ 114 people and they keep the cogs in our wheels constantly turning.”

Derek O’Reilly has an ease in his approach to his daily routine at the business. He arrives before most and leaves after most. It is his life. He has lived and breathed it since he joined the family company at the age of 16. He now has 49 years of wholesale notched on his belt. Derek has lead his business to bring it to where it is today – now sitting among the best of the Next 200 list in this edition of Ulster Business. This third generation business is showing great year-on-year performance. Providing employment to 114 people from the greater Newry area, O’Reilly’s has its sights on building their new operating facility not too far from its current facility.

In order to implement the firm’s 10-year growth plan, two new appointments have been made.

Sinead Lavery, previously head of finance, has been appointed finance director. She has been with the company 10 years and has played a very substantial part in the direction of its financial goals and governance.

Anne O’Reilly, head of business has been appointed company director. Anne has been with the company for eight years and will oversee and manage the strategy of the ambitious business projects and see that the 10 year plan is kept on track.

“I don’t think there is anymore elasticity in the walls of our current warehouse,” she said. “We have squeezed every last inch of space – the walls have been stretched to their limits”.

Sixty five years is a milestone in any business and as such needs to be shouted about and celebrated especially when the year-on-year growth is continually exceeding the projected growth.

Although turnover of £42m (up from £36m 2021) is listed in the current Next 200 and relates to 2022 figures, the most recent September 2023 turnover is £55m – an increase year on year of over 30%.

Anne O’Reilly said: “While expansion and growth is at the heart of our future strategy plans, we are a responsible employer and our engagement with our workforce, especially in relation to their health and wellbeing is highly important to us.

“We recognise that in particular, mental health issues can visit any one of us at any time. I am proud to say I have trained as a Mental Health First Aider, as have three of my colleagues. We see this support as having a positive impact on our employees and their families.”

Derek O’Reilly continues day-to-day to lead the business, his sights always on something bigger and better and it certainly looks like he is achieving his ambitions for the company started by his father, Bob O’Reilly, some 65 years ago.