IIBN - International Irish Business Network

IIBN celebrated its most recent keynote speaker event in New York on Thursday 23rd September at the offices of international law firm Crowell & Moring on Madison Avenue.

Over 100 attendees enjoyed an evening which had David Bobbett, CEO of H&K International as the keynote speaker.

Originally American owned, David explained that H&K International is a leading global supplier of stainless steel kitchen equipment to the food service industry. As CEO, David Bobbett led an Irish management buyout in 2002 and he described his biggest business achievement as dealing with a 50% drop in sales ten days after completing the MBO when their largest customer decided on a sudden change of strategy, with a drastic cutback in capital expenditure on new restaurants.

Bobbett restructured H&K to provide total restaurant solutions, incorporating manufacturing and logistics. David noted that the company now employs 970 worldwide with manufacturing and service office operations in Mexico, US, Canada, UK and most recently Indonesia. The Group Management and European Marketing are based in Dublin.

H&K sales reached $345 million in 2007. H&K delivers value driven restaurant equipment solutions into 70 countries, supporting 20,000 restaurants with their equipment needs. Their biggest customer is McDonald’s.

Other important customers are Subway, IKEA, Jason’s, Applebee’s and IHOP.

David is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.

The event was opened by Conor Foley, Global Chairman of IIBN and Kelly Currie, Partner at Crowell & Moring, who warmly welcomed IIBN and its members to their offices. Further information regarding Crowell & Moring can be found at www.crowell.com. The evening concluded with wine and canapés generously offered by Crowell & Moring.

Click on the photo below to view photos taken on the night.