Martin Naughton (businessman) facts for kids

Martin Naughton, born on May 2, 1939, is a very successful Irish-British businessman. He is also an engineer and a generous person who gives money to good causes. He started a company called GlenDimplex, which makes many different electrical appliances for homes. Mr. Naughton has supported Trinity College Dublin since the 1990s. He even gave them a record €25 million, and in return, they gave him an honorary doctorate degree in 1995.

Early Life and Education

Martin Naughton went to De La Salle College Dundalk when he was younger. Today, he helps students there by funding a special scholarship program every year. He also gives money to other schools and universities. These include Trinity College Dublin and the University of Notre Dame.

Building a Business Empire

Starting GlenDimplex

In August 1973, Martin Naughton started his own company called Glen Electric. It began as a small factory in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. At first, only ten people worked there.

In 1977, Glen Electric bought Dimplex, a very popular brand for electric heaters in the UK. This is how the company became known as the Glen Dimplex Group.

Growing the Company

The company continued to grow by buying other businesses. In 1985, they bought Morphy Richards, which made small home appliances. That same year, they also bought Blanella, a company that made electric blankets. They also acquired Burco Dean Appliances, which made products for restaurants and catering.

During the 1990s, Glen Dimplex became even bigger. They bought more companies across Europe and other parts of the world.

GlenDimplex Today

Martin Naughton is an engineer, and he helped his company become the world's largest maker of home heating appliances. His company has factories in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and North America.

Today, Glen Dimplex employs more than 8,000 people. They have 22 factories and make about $1.6 billion in sales each year. Mr. Naughton's share in the company is worth a lot of money. He also has other investments, like an art collection and properties in Dublin. He also owns shares in the Merrion Hotel Group.

Helping During Conflict

During the time of the Northern Ireland conflict, Martin Naughton helped with trade between different areas. He also supported businesses to help them grow during this difficult period.

The Naughton Foundation

In 1994, Martin Naughton and his wife, Carmel, started a charity called The Naughton Foundation.

In 2008, they added a scholarship fund to the foundation. This fund first helped students in the Louth, Meath, and Monaghan areas. More recently, it has offered scholarships to students studying STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) across the entire island of Ireland.

Awards and Recognition

Martin Naughton has received many important awards for his work and generosity.

• In 1995, Trinity College Dublin gave him an honorary doctorate degree.
• In 2016, he received the French Légion d'Honneur, which is a very high award from France.
• In 2017, Dublin City University also gave him an honorary doctorate.
• In May 2018, the Business for Peace Foundation gave him a Business for Peace Award. This award recognized his efforts to show how businesses can help bring peace and protect the environment.
• In November 2018, he won the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award at the Irish Post Awards.

Family Life

Martin Naughton is married to Carmel Naughton, and they have three children. They live in County Meath, Ireland. In 2016, his son Fergal Naughton became the CEO of GlenDimplex.

In 2016, Martin and Carmel Naughton were named "philanthropists of the year" by the Community Foundation for Ireland. This award recognized their great generosity and support for good causes.

The Naughtons live at Stackallan House in County Meath.