Martin Naughton, the visionary Irish engineer and billionaire businessman who founded Glen Dimplex, passed away in July 2026 at the age of 87. Naughton built one of the world’s largest electrical appliance empires from humble beginnings, transforming a small Newry workshop into a global powerhouse.
Born on 2 May 1939 in Dundalk, County Louth, Naughton studied Mechanical and Production Engineering in Southampton. After working as an industrial engineer, he founded Glen Electric in 1973 with just ten employees. A pivotal 1977 acquisition of Dimplex created the Glen Dimplex Group. Under his leadership, the company expanded aggressively through acquisitions including Morphy Richards and others, becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of domestic heating appliances with over 8,000 employees, 22 facilities, and annual sales around €1.5–1.6 billion.
A dedicated philanthropist with his wife Carmel, Naughton donated a record €25 million to Trinity College Dublin and supported numerous educational causes through The Naughton Foundation. He received honours including an honorary doctorate from Trinity (1995), the Légion d’Honneur, and the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
Survived by his wife Carmel and three children, including son Fergal who succeeded him as CEO, Naughton’s legacy endures in Irish business, cross-border peace efforts, and education. Tributes describe him as a self-made industrialist whose innovation and generosity shaped modern manufacturing.
His passing marks the end of an era for one of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
