Portlaoise based company recognised for supporting community with coveted Guaranteed Irish symbol

Portlaoise headquartered company Certa Ireland has been recognised by Guaranteed Irish for the ways in which it supports the local community in Laois.

Certa, which is part of DCC plc, operates Ireland’s largest network of pay@pump forecourts and home heating depots, and employs 370 people nationwide.

The Guaranteed Irish symbol was awarded to Certa in recognition of its commitment to creating sustainable jobs, promoting Irish provenance and supporting the local community across county Laois.

Certa’s community support in Laois goes well beyond job creation and extends to volunteering, sponsorship, donations and fundraising, all of which was examined as part of the qualifying criteria for the Guaranteed Irish symbol.

The company has developed a series of community-based CSR initiatives including its Volunteering Day Programme which allows Certa workers in the county to take a paid day out of the business each year to volunteer and give back to their local communities.

Certa has also partnered with the Open Doors Initiative to provide opportunities for some of the most marginalised members of society in Laois through the creation of pathways to work, training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said: “Certa is very proud to be a homegrown Irish brand that operates at the heart of the local community in Laois. We are delighted to be awarded the Guaranteed Irish symbol which helps consumers and businesses to identify products and services that are an altogether better choice for the life of their community.

Certa is committed to supporting the local community in Laois and to continually enhancing the service that we offer to domestic, commercial and industrial customers as we continue to pursue our vision of becoming Ireland’s most progressive energy company. We look forward to promoting our Guaranteed Irish credentials as we continue that journey”.

Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish said: “We are delighted to welcome Certa as a member of Guaranteed Irish. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is a national symbol of trust that is only awarded to companies in Ireland that support sustainable jobs, contribute to our local economies, and are committed to Irish provenance. This has been at the core of Certa’s development as an Irish company over the past 35 years and we look forward to working with Certa as it continues to grow and enhance the service that it provides in communities across Ireland’.