Bucket Man: Think Local, Act Global

A fiercely honest business story follows one founder’s bucket idea, from local feed needs to global leadership.

“If I can start a business selling buckets, anyone can start their own business. It doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is where you’re going, even if you’re not clear what the final destination is.”

John Concannon wasn’t supposed to be a global CEO. He grew up on a farm in County Galway, struggled at school, and spent his teens and twenties wheeling and dealing in cattle and sheep. By 31, married with four young children, he was desperate to work for himself. He had one simple idea — stick three buckets together to make feeding calves easier. That ‘half-cocked notion’ changed everything.

An appearance on The Late Late Show in December 1987 made him a household name and launched a company that today turns over €150 million. JFC has 12 locations around the world and employs hundreds of staff designing and manufacturing products used in agriculture, construction, aquaculture and other sectors.

The Bucket Man is the raw, funny and fiercely honest story of how John, his family and the JFC team built a thriving global business from a small town in the west of Ireland. Packed with hard-won wisdom, it traces his journey from cattle marts to boardrooms and trade shows across Europe. Whether he's flying hot air balloons, going undercover on The Secret Millionaire TV show, or facing down hard-nosed dealmakers, John is living proof that if you believe in yourself, you can build a legacy that lasts.

John Concannon is the founder and chairman of the JFC Group, a global manufacturing firm headquartered in Tuam, County Galway. Since launching the company with his multi-bucket invention in 1987, JFC now spans nine countries and employs hundreds of staff to manufacture products used in agriculture, construction, aquaculture and other sectors. John lives in Galway with his wife, Patricia. They have four children ― all of whom are now involved in the business ― and ten grandchildren.