KORE becomes first to publish independently verified VSME

Launch marks major milestone for sustainability transparency in Ireland’s SME sector

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Kilnaleck-based KORE Group this week launched Ireland’s first comprehensive Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) Sustainability Report, setting a new benchmark for sustainability reporting, transparency, and governance among Irish SMEs.

Independently verified by EcoVerify, the report was published under KORE Croí, the Group’s ESG and sustainability framework, which focuses on environmental responsibility, social impact, and strong governance across the business.

The launch event on Monday, May 11, was attended by Minister Niamh Smyth TD, along with representatives from KORE Group, Enterprise Ireland, Bank of Ireland, Cavan County Council, Local Enterprise Office Cavan, the National Insulation Association of Ireland, and other stakeholders from the construction, retrofit, and sustainability sectors.

Cllr Trevor Smith, chair of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District alongside Caroline Ashe Brady, KORE & Cllr Winston Bennett in the audience as KORE Insurlation in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan launched their VSME Sustainability Report, which is the first of its kind in Ireland for an SME on Monday afternoon. Photo: Lorraine Teevan Photo by LORRAINE TEEVAN 0877564735

KORE Group, a family-run Irish business, say the report demonstrates how SMEs can lead on sustainability through measurable action, transparency, and independent verification.

EcoVerify confirmed the credibility of the sustainability data reported by the Cavan company.

Speaking at the launch, Caroline Ashe Brady, Commercial and Sustainability Director at KORE Group, said: “The publication of our VSME Sustainability Report under KORE Croí represents a major milestone for our business and, we believe, for the wider Irish SME sector. Sustainability must be embedded into how businesses operate, grow and make decisions. By voluntarily undertaking this process and independently verifying our report, we are demonstrating our commitment to accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.”

She added through KORE Croí, the company is “embedding sustainability across every area of the business and helping to drive meaningful change within the construction and retrofit sectors. We hope this report encourages other Irish SMEs to take proactive steps towards transparent and credible sustainability reporting.”

Minister Niamh Smyth speaks at the launch of KORE Insurlation VSME Sustainability Report, which is the first of its kind in Ireland for an SME on Monday afternoon. Photo: Lorraine Teevan Photo by LORRAINE TEEVAN 0877564735

Minister Niamh Smyth TD meanwhile stated that in the business landscape, where sustainability reporting is often felt as a “huge preserve for the large multinationals and listed corporations”, KORE Group has “stepped forward and stepped up” to lead the way. “KORE Group's decision to publish this report sends a signal to their customers and their supply chain, but also to the wider market. It says, we take sustainability seriously and we are willing to be transparent.”

EcoVerify’s General Manager Manuel Gonzalez noted that independent verification plays a “critical role in building trust and credibility” in sustainability reporting. “We are proud to work with KORE Group on this milestone achievement, which demonstrates genuine leadership within the Irish SME market.”

KORE Insurlation in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan launched their VSME Sustainability Report, which is the first of its kind in Ireland for an SME on Monday afternoon with Minister Niamh Smyth, from lef Steven Magee, Sales Director; Pauric Kavanagh, Operations Director; Brian Flax, Marketing of the SME Sustainability Report, which is the first of its Director; Minister Niamh Smyth, Caroline Ashe Brady, Commercial Director; Noel Brady, Director & Barry McCarron, Managing Director, KORE Retrofit. Photo: Lorraine Teevan Photo by LORRAINE TEEVAN 0877564735

KORE Croí guides the company’s sustainability approach across environmental performance, operations, employee wellbeing, community engagement, and governance. The report also aligns KORE Group with emerging European sustainability expectations and supports long-term sustainable growth.

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