A multimillion euro social enterprise co-operative which boasts a strong presence in Carlow and Kilkenny has rebranded.
FRS, which employs 120 people across our two counties, is now known as FRS Co-Op.
The group includes several nationally renowned businesses, working across employment, fencing, government and training.
FRS Recruitment runs an office in Kilkenny, FRS’s Turas Nua operation has offices in Thomastown and Kilkenny, FRS Fencing has premises both in Carlow and Kilkenny and a significant number of the FRS Farm Service team are also based across the two counties. Other FRS businesses active in Carlow and Kilkenny include FRS Training, FRS Contract Services, Herdwatch, the leading farm management app and WrkWrk, the temporary employment service
On a national basis, FRS Co-Op employs 2,000 people across the group and has a turnover of circa €100 million. Originally founded in 1980 as National Co-op Farm Relief Services (NCFRS), it has since grown its operations in Carlow and Kilkenny as well as around the country, being active all across Ireland.
Speaking about the rebrand, Colin Donnery, Group CEO of FRS Co-Op said, “We want all customers, clients, colleagues, friends and stakeholders in Carlow and Kilkenny to know about our new name and what it represents. Since it was formed in 1980, co-operation with our colleagues and neighbours has been central to everything we do in FRS. We’ve always had deep roots in our local communities, in Carlow and Kilkenny and anywhere else that we are active. We know that we grow better together, a belief that is ingrained in everything we do. That is why we wanted the co-op aspect of our business to be more prominent in our new branding.
“As we look to the future of the business, those ideals will continue to be our key strength. Our mix of local and national experts, combined with an eye on innovation, allow us to work effectively with communities we live in and the businesses we work with, in Carlow and Kilkenny and further afield. Whether it is through recruitment and employment support, through training, through innovative agri technologies or services, we believe FRS Co-Op is a business which exists to make a difference. A positive difference to the lives of those who work for us, who work with us and to the communities in which we all live. As we move forward under our new FRS Co-Op brand, we expect to see those contributions shine through even brighter in the years ahead.
“We also will continue to provide all the services we have up to now. FRS Farm Services will continue to help more than 2,000 farms around the country, including many in Carlow and Kilkenny, every day. FRS Fencing, Ireland’s leading fencing provider delivered 2.5 million metres of fencing for their customers last year and will continue to support farms, homes and businesses across the county and around the country. Turas Nua will continue working to help the unemployed in Carlow and Kilkenny to find jobs. And we will continue to build the expertise and support offered through FRS Training, FRS Recruitment, FRS Contract Services, WrkWrk, Herdwatch and more.
“This is an exciting time for FRS Co-Op in Carlow and Kilkenny and beyond as we look to build on the considerable achievements we’ve made over the last 40+ years, knowing that our strength has always been the relationships and connections we’ve made in Carlow and Kilkenny and beyond. We know we can get more done by working together and growing together with our colleagues, our customers and our communities in Carlow and Kilkenny and across Ireland. It’s what we’ve always done. It’s the FRS Co-Op way,” Mr. Donnery concluded.
