GRANDONS OF GLANMIRE is the most recent winner of the Business Awards Section in the highly successful Glanmire Sports, Business and Community Awards, sponsored by Fitzgerald’s Vienna Woods Hotel.
GRANDONS OF GLANMIRE is the most recent winner of the Business Awards Section in the highly successful Glanmire Sports, Business and Community Awards, sponsored by Fitzgerald’s Vienna Woods Hotel.
Mr. Michael Magner, Director of Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Hotel (Main Sponsors) commended the latest winner of the Business Award category, Grandons, saying “We at Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Hotel are delighted to be associated with this very successful Sports, Business and Community Award Scheme. This is our eight year to be involved and we are delighted with the new initiative that has gone from strength to strength.”
Almost 40 years ago the company was formed by Martin and Maria Grandon when they began by repairing and servicing cars from a modest workshop located at the rear of their family home. A short time later, having acquired a small loan, the business progressed into the buying and selling of new and used vehicles.
The business blossomed in both commercial and retail areas and had a wide customer base.
Space was limited and a larger site was needed, so in 1981 they acquired the Sallybrook site from the Crowley family and set about building a new state of the art garage which opened in 1982 with a Fiat main dealership. Alfa Romeo followed and later the company acquired the Peugeot franchise also. The petrol station followed soon after. 1984 saw the opening of a very small forecourt shop and over the years as the business grew further additions to the site, sales showrooms, workshop areas and shops were added, to become what it is now, including the development of the new Centra 24-Hour forecourt facility in 2011.
Along the way in 1988 the family acquired the Barry Bros Garage in Glanmire village and developed the Texaco star market forecourt concept which opened in September 1989. This site has since been redeveloped and reopened as a Mace convenience 24 hours forecourt facility in 2009.
Just three years ago Grandons were appointed main dealers for the prestigious and award winning Toyota brand for sales and after sales and also retain the aftersales contracts for Fiat cars and light commercial vehicles, Alfa Romeo and Peugeot franchises.
The Toyota business offers a fleet management programme tailored to suit small and large companies and also a unique service club for all its customer base.
The business continues to be family run with Ken and his wife Amanda now running the day to day operation. Their aim is at all times to deliver the renowned Grandon superior service to their broad retail and commercial customer base across the country.
Despite many obstacles, 2 recessions, fires, and floods, along the almost 40 years of trading, the company continues to flourish, but only with the dedication and resilience of their amazing staff who now number in excess of 60, some of whom have been with company for very many years.
Over the 40 years of trading, the companies have acquired many awards of merit, for their excellence in running the retail forecourt outlets, awards for excellence in sales and after sales, but to be chosen to receive a reward for our contribution to our local area, is, indeed special and greatly appreciated.