Sean Coyle

 Sean Coyle, Chairman of Keystone Group, said of his induction, “I am delighted to be inducted into the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Hall of Fame, it is a great honour to join such an elite group of industry leaders. It has been a real team effort to take Keystone to where it is today, as one of the UK and Ireland’s largest manufacturers of building products and I accept this accolade with a special thanks to all my staff for all their efforts.”

This prestigious accolade has been awarded at a special time for the Keystone Group as the company has just celebrated its 35^th Anniversary. Last month the Keystone Group welcomed over 400 guests from around the world to their headquarters in Cookstown to help them celebrate 35 years of innovation. Guests were given a behind-the-scenes look at Keystone’s innovative manufacturing facilities, where cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices have propelled the company to the forefront of the construction manufacturing sector. This was followed by a 35th anniversary gala event in Titanic Belfast, hosted by popular broadcaster, Patrick Kielty.

This award is a testimony to Sean’s dedication and strategic vision which has seen the Keystone Group grow to become one of the UK & Ireland’s largest manufacturers of construction products over the last 35 years.

Grainne McVeigh

Gráinne McVeigh is a Chartered Director with extensive experience in international sales, marketing, investment attraction, governance, and economic development. As Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Life Sciences at Invest Northern Ireland, she led efforts to support companies in these sectors to compete globally and attract new investment to the region.

Before joining Invest NI, Gráinne worked at SkillSoft Corporation, managing global accounts in the online learning sector. She holds a degree in French from Lancaster University and an MBA in International Business from the University of Ulster.

In recognition of her leadership and impact, Gráinne was inducted into the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2024. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of the Consumer Council NI, NI Alternatives, and the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Management Committee.

Dr. John Rainey MBE

Dr John Rainey MBE is Chairman and Co-founder of the Denroy Group, a global leader in advanced polymer manufacturing, serving the aerospace, medical, and consumer sectors. Since founding the business in 1972 with his father, John has played a pivotal role in its growth, exporting to over 60 countries and employing more than 200 people.

Recognised for his contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy and innovation landscape, John was awarded an MBE in 2014 and received an Honorary Doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast in 2017. In 2018, he was honoured with the Innovation Founder Award by Catalyst Inc.

A strong advocate for education and industry collaboration, he established the Max Rainey Prize at Queen’s University in memory of his father, celebrating excellence in polymer engineering. Though he stepped back from his Managing Director role in 2019, John continues to lead the strategic direction of Denroy as Chairman.

George Fleming

George Fleming is the Chair of Fleming Agri, a family-run agricultural machinery business based in Newbuildings, Northern Ireland. Under his leadership, the company has upheld its 150-year legacy of producing robust, user-friendly equipment, guided by the motto “Simplicity is our Strength.” George has overseen key expansions, including a £1.1m investment in 2013 and the opening of a 22,000 sq ft facility in 2020. His forward-thinking approach embraces cutting-edge technologies while remaining true to core values of quality, strength, and value for money—ensuring Fleming Agri continues to serve customers across 20+ countries. George has served as president of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

Mark Hutchinson

Mark Hutchinson is the CEO of Hutchinson Engineering, where he leads with a strategic vision and a deep commitment to personal and organisational growth. Having joined the family business after his A Levels, Mark worked closely with his father before taking over the company—a proud milestone in his career. Under his leadership, the business celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. A Chartered Director since 2022, Mark is passionate about innovation, sustainability, and fostering a respectful, people-focused culture. His dynamic approach continues to drive the company forward in an ever-evolving, tech-driven industry.

John Bosco O’hagan

John Bosco O’Hagan founded Specialist Group back in 1988 and is the Group Chairman today. He is responsible for leadership and strategic planning and attends board meetings as well as sponsorship and PR events. John is driven by the values of truth, honesty, integrity, quality and a will to win and his greatest satisfaction about life at Specialist is to see people happily working and winning together.

These values, and the sense of community that John Bosco brings to Maghera are why he was added to the Hall of Fame.

Walter Watson

Walter Watson is the founder and Chairman of Walter Watson Ltd, a leading steel fabrication company based in Castlewellan, Northern Ireland. Established in 1967, the company has expanded under his leadership to become an industry leader in structural steel, reinforcement, overhead cranes, agricultural machinery, and steel stockholding. Operating from a 21-acre site with 350,000 square feet of manufacturing space, and additional facilities in Kilmarnock and Kildare, the firm serves clients across the UK and Ireland. Watson’s commitment to quality and innovation has driven the company’s growth, making it one of the largest family-owned steel fabricators in Ireland.

Pat O’Neill

Pat O’Neill was born and lives in the village of Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, with his wife Hilary. He started his professional life as a high school teacher in his local country school. He also worked part time in a local engineering company to help make ends meet. This part time work developed and after a few years Pat left his teaching job and founded his own engineering company, which manufactured screening and construction equipment designed by him.

In the early 70s, Pat established the company’s first base in the US in Louisville, Kentucky. Soon, the distributor network grew to international status throughout the US and worldwide. Today, Powerscreen is one of the world’s leaders in screening and trommel equipment and remains a key manufacturer and employer in Co. Tyrone. Pat has written a book about his experience of setting up and running Powerscreen in an attempt to pass on the valuable lessons he learned. The book is available for purchase through his office in Donaghmore, with all proceeds going to the Donaghmore Historical Association.

Pat is no longer directly involved in Powerscreen, but his business interest remains focused on the engineering and manufacturing sectors in which he and members of his family are still actively involved. He is regarded as the inspiration for many of Mid-Ulster’s engineering entrepreneurs, with the creation of many businesses and a globally significant industry – referred to locally as the ‘Silicon Valley of heavy equipment’ – being credited to him. 

Dr Terry Cross

With a history of business success covering everything from food packaging to a winery, and a wedding venue to now a £15m distillery and visitor attraction, Dr Terry Cross is not only a manufacturing entrepreneur but was rightly recently awarded as NI’s top philanthropist for his support to many causes.

Delta Print and Packaging was established in West Belfast, providing work in some of the worst days in NI history.  Sold to Huthamaki in 2016, Terry – rather than retiring to the chateau – set about establishing a new manufacturing business and created the award-winning Hinch Distillery.

Niall and Brian Irwin

The WD Irwin Bakery in Portadown was established in 1912, moving to a purpose-built factory on the edge of the town in 1995. Renowned for its world famous ‘Nutty Krust’ loaf, the business continues to be family-run and credits that to its longevity and continued success.

Niall Irwin was a passionate and active supporter of the manufacturing community, including being a long-term Board Member and Treasurer of Manufacturing Northern Ireland. He sadly passed away after illness in December 2018.

Where you had Niall, you always had Brian, who shares his passion for NI’s food and manufacturing industry, which has included becoming Chair of the NI Food and Drinks Association.