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Newry firm MJM was badly hit by the worldwide slump in the cruise liner industry due to the Covid pandemic but with the return of the popular cruise market, the company has bounced back, announcing its intention to create 50 new jobs. At the start of the pandemic the firm saw 95% of their orders cut in just one afternoon!
MJM Marine specialises in fitting out the interiors of luxury vessels, and has refurbished ships belonging to many operators, including the world’s biggest cruise liner, Royal Caribbean’s “Wonder of the Seas” which made its maiden voyage in March.
When the pandemic struck in February 2020 TV viewers watched images of liners like the “Diamond Princess” being held in quarantine on the high seas. Around the world, ports began closing to passing cruise liners and the entire tourism sector slumped.
MJM Marine’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Annett recalls one extraordinarily difficult afternoon on 12th March 2020, when the firm’s order book dwindled as clients paused their plans moving onto cancelling in a short period. “We were approaching £120 million in orders, and that one afternoon cut nearly 95% of that away very quickly. It was difficult, but I think our team realised the enormity of the task we faced to resize the business. I think at a personal level the possibility of going into a lockdown was something many thought could be a few weeks at that stage, but it was clear the impact on our core industry would be significant. Weeks soon became months.”
MJM Marine had to arrange for several hundred of its project staff on international projects to fly home during a period when demand for flights was high, and as people looked to return home before any borders were closed. It also needed to divert materials stored and in transit around the world back to its headquarters. The firm made a significant number of redundancies, whilst availing of the furlough scheme to help retain and protect as many jobs as possible.
But now business is picking up, enabling the Newry firm to start hiring again. The new roles it wants to fill include jobs as Designers, Technical Engineers, Contracts Managers, Assistant Contracts Managers, Project Planners, and other support roles. Many of these roles will be based at the company headquarters in Carnbane Business Park, Newry.
Gary Annett describes the last two years as “challenging for the whole cruise industry” but says that “as things continue to recover with vaccinations and new technological advances, the industry is adapting and moving forward, and we are delighted to be a part of that journey.”
Earlier this month Gary attended the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami which brings together hundreds of firms involved in the industry. He reports an upbeat mood there, adding that “it has been great to watch our orderbook refilling again and we are in the position to begin recruiting for many key roles within the organisation as we line up significant new projects for the company to undertake.”
During the pandemic, MJM struck up new partnerships, developing innovative products to expand their offering in the marketplace. One of those was a partnership with Vyv, a company which makes antimicrobial lighting. This partnership led to MJM winning the Collaboration Award at the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo in London. Just last week the company was named as the Manufacturer of the Year (over £25m) at the Made in Northern Ireland Awards. MJM’s Apprentice Joiner Shea Rooney took the prize for Apprentice of the Year at the same event
Despite the current concentration on the controversial trade protocol, the main Brexit issue for MJM has been its inability to hire staff from across Europe, an area in which it traditionally competed for skilled employees with other marine suppliers in countries like Italy, Germany Spain. As part of its international expansion, MJM has now opened up an office in the Polish shipbuilding city of Gdansk. But it is also keen to add to its local workforce in Newry. MJM’s Human Resources Director, Elizabeth O’Connor, says the company is “looking forward to seeing ambitious and talented people joining our team over the next few months as we continue to grow and expand at an exponential rate.”
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Warrenpoint-based artisan food-to-go company, DELI LITES has become the only Irish-based company to win two coveted ‘Sammies’ Awards for 2022. The event organised by the British Sandwich and Food-to-Go Association (BSA) saw DELI LITES’ Cathal McDonnell and Gary McDowell recognised as two of the best in the business. Cathal was named the winner of the Business Development Award for his contribution to driving successful change in the industry. In the Mission Foods Sage & Onion Tortilla category, Gary’s wrap ‘Make A Pig of Yourself’ earned the title of Sandwich Designer of the Year. The inventive food producer was also highly commended in the ‘Environmental & Sustainability’ award and the ‘Healthy Eating’ categories.
Competing against international brands such as Co-op, M&S, Starbucks and Greggs across several categories, DELI LITES continue to prove they can punch well above their weight in product development and business operations. Last year the firm picked up the Millitec Manufacturer of the year prize for its strong approach to innovation.
Contestants in the Sandwich Designer of the Year competition are put through a rigorous judging process. First submitting a written entry, followed by a live semi-final cook-off before last week’s finals. This year entries were whittled down from nearly 200 to 18 finalists across 4 categories. DELI LITES’ Adrian Fitzpatrick also secured a finalist spot in 2 categories of the competition.
Italian fine-dining expert and judge Theo Randall commented he enjoyed the craic as well as the food. Gary McDowell, Food Innovation Manager for the company, commented: “The industry is looking to Ireland as food-to-go leaders and the aim was to show the judges exactly why that is. The product concept used high-quality local ingredients to create a global flavour full of personality.”
Cathal McDonnell FIFST, Technical Director, added: “It’s an honour to be recognised as an industry leader in business development. Our business has experienced huge growth over recent years, but we have never lost sight of the priority to create top-quality safe products for our customers that are second to none.”
Gourmet sandwiches, wraps and salads are the bread and butter for DELI LITES, along with an impressive range of hot eats designed for a growing export market. In business for over 20 years, the food company has developed a strong brand presence which includes an award-winning artisan bakery range, plant-based brand Kitchen Vegilantes, and new heat-to-eat brand Planet Café.
Planet Café’s Tex-Mex Inspired Plant-Based Burrito was bestowed one of the two ‘highly commended’ awards which demonstrate the company’s commitment to creating healthier and more interesting lunchtime propositions that consider their impact from the farm to the kitchen.
Gary said: “The standard at this year’s awards was exceptional. From modern twists to all-time classics, the judges had an unenviable job. We are once again proud to be recognised for our innovative ideas amongst industry peers who continue to inspire us to create better food-to-go.
The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association represents businesses across the UK involved in or connected with, the sandwich and food-to-go industry as a whole. The annual Sammies Awards honour the achievements of those working in and working for the improvement of the industry.
Mission Foods were sponsors of the Sandwich Designer category won by DELI LITES, who provide quality tortillas, flatbreads and tortilla chips. The Business Development Award was sponsored by the International Sandwich & Food To Go News magazine, a publication dedicated to the food-to-go sector.
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Re-Gen Robotics is celebrating yet another award success at the Made in Northern Ireland Awards 2022, hosted at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast last week.
The company lifted the Digital Engineering / Technology Award which recognises the best used or developed software, technology or technical processes to solve problems or add value for customers.
Re-Gen Robotics is the first and only Zone 0, EX certified, remote controlled, 100% ‘No Man Entry’ robotic tank cleaning company, in the UK and Ireland.
Responding to the rising number of confined space deaths and after years of extensive research, Re-Gen Robotics brought their game changing technology and service to a sector that was crying out for change.
The fully submersible robots are designed to operate in the most inhospitable environments and with specialised access cranes, remote camera systems and engineering expertise, any size or shape of oil, gas or chemical tank can be cleaned.
The judges were impressed that its innovative tank cleaning service is transforming safety within the tank cleaning industry and is adding value to their clients’ reputations and bottom line.
Fintan Duffy, Managing Director of Re-Gen Robotics said: “On behalf of the entire team, I am delighted to accept this award.
“Our transformational technology delivers entirely new scale, reliability and flexibility at a cost that disrupts the old industry model. What we can offer clients is a truly reimagined product and service that makes tank cleaning inconceivably better than anything that has gone before.
“The market has been redefined and is waking up to the capabilities of our new technology and service. We have gradually built a major position in the mainstream tank cleaning sector as it in turn, makes a seismic shift in attitude towards safety.”
The awards recognised the resilience and fortitude showed by firms operating across the manufacturing industry and provided an opportunity to showcase the quality products and services that manufacturing and engineering businesses from across Northern Ireland supply and the skilled people that work for them.
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Co. Down marketing agency, Mitso has announced new international growth plans following support from Invest NI, as the team returns from their first physical market research trip to Bermuda since the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The brand, digital and PR agency, based in Newry, was first established in 2016 and has since grown to deliver award-winning projects for high-profile clients including Colin Glen, Giganet and Cuilcagh Boardwalk, along with a growing client base in Bermuda.
Mitso has carved a niche market for itself in Bermuda working with a variety of clients such as the Bermuda Regulatory Authority, high-net-worth insurance company, Triangle Life, sustainable fashion brand, Coral Coast Clothing, IT consultancy, Gnosis and BASE, a major janitorial supplies business. Following a successful year of growth in 2021 along with Invest NI’s support, the Newry company is predicting that exports will account for 30% of the business in 2022.
Speaking on the new investment, Managing Director, Maeve Finnegan comments, “We are thrilled to have received such impactful support from Invest NI, and to be able to accelerate our global growth plans. Mitso continues to define a unique space for itself in the industry, with an unparalleled full-service offering for clients, home and abroad. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and are confident that as we celebrate our sixth year in business with two new team members and new opportunities, it’s just the beginning for our agency.
“We’ve now been working to develop our own brand and digital strategy, and to plan Mitso’s first ever Bermudian advertising campaign. To date, our Bermudian client base has been secured mostly through referrals, so we’re excited to also be planning a series of research trips to help grow our client base there.”
Invest NI’s Southern regional office has worked with Mitso since 2021. Invest NI has offered the company £29,250 of support towards the creation of three roles, of which a Brand Communications Manager and Senior Graphic Designer are already in place; and to accelerate trade in markets such as Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Bermuda.
Anne Beggs, Director of Trade and Investment, Invest NI, said, “Mitso is an excellent example of a local SME that takes a strategic and ambitious approach to its global growth. Our close working relationship has helped the company to continue to meet demand from its expanding global client base. Our support has enabled Mitso to grow its team, and to establish a presence in multiple international markets. Our on-going trade support will assist Mitso to further grow its business and maximise export sales.”
Closer to home, Mitso is also aiming to further establish itself in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, with the office perfectly placed in Newry to allow the team to offer cross-border services with ease of access to both markets. Last month, Mitso also secured its first industry accolade, taking home eCommerce Project of the Year at the 2022 Digital DNA Awards in Belfast, and the team is currently shortlisted for a CIPR Excellence Award, with the ceremony taking place in the coming weeks.
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Newry Chamber hosted their annual Golf Classic on Friday, 20 May at Cloverhill Golf Course, Mullaghbawn with the Abbey Autoline team declared the winners on the day.
The Chamber CEO Tony McKeown expressed thanks to the main event sponsor Digney Grant Insurance and Directors Anthony Boden and Sean Grant as well as to Jackie Reid and Brien Reid from their Corporate Patron Deli Lites for providing the lunch. He also expressed thanks for the great support from a range of businesses who donated prizes and sponsored holes.
McKeown said "The warm welcome, beautiful location and course, team scramble format and excellent food combined to make a great day for our members and their guests."
Congratulations were expressed to the winning team from Abbey Autoline with 2nd place going to Anjo Wines Ltd and 3rd to Digney Grant Insurance team.
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Fintan Duffy, Managing Director of Newry firm Re-Gen Robotics took the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 5th Global Tank Storage Awards 2022. The Awards took place in Rotterdam on 24 May 2022.
The prestigious awards highlight those that excel in a range of different categories relating to terminal achievements, equipment innovations, ports, and individual success. The winners are recognised for their excellent contribution to safety, innovation and sustainability in the tank storage sector.
After receiving over 200 entries from across the globe, this year's judges shortlisted over 80 entrants that were in the running to get their hands on a trophy. The Outstanding Achievement category was open for public vote.
Not only did Mr Duffy receive the most votes from the industry, but he was also recognised by the international jury for his commitment to his role and for his achievements in non-man entry tank cleaning.
On receiving his award Mr Duffy congratulated fellow nominees François Cazor, Co-Founder and CEO at Kpler andDaiva Angeldorff, CEO, Nordic Storage. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be honoured with this award and recognised by my industry peers. I am accepting this award on behalf of our very talented team, with people like them by my side, there is very little we can’t achieve.
“Re-Gen Robotics is spearheading the revolution in tank cleaning and our extensive experience in robotic design and delivering an award-winning service, has propelled Re-Gen Robotics far ahead of the competition."
Responding to the rising number of confined space deaths, Fintan assembled a team to design a bespoke robotic cleaning service that eradicated the need for human entry into tanks. He said: “Our team has redefined how the dirtiest most dangerous tanks are cleaned, and we have set a new benchmark for tank cleaning in the sector.”
In the last six months Re-Gen Robotics has picked up the Energy Industry Council’s Innovation Award for delivering enhanced products, services and strategies to meet specific client needs and for building differentiation in the sector; the Sustainability Award for taking responsibility as part of their business strategy, to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems and the Company of the Year Award which was decided based upon their best practice scores from the EIC’s 57 industry judges.
The Northern Ireland Regional Chamber of Commerce presented the company with the Problem Solver Award, which recognises businesses that have transformed a product/service or the market it operates in. And they recently lifted the Made in NI Awards Digital Engineering/Technology Award which recognises the best used or developed software, technology or technical processes to solve problems or add value for customers.
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The full list of speakers have been announced for next weeks NI Small Business Conference 2022 with sales and digital marketing, recruiting and retaining talent and the future of high streets just some of the topics under discussion. Titled 'A Pathway for Growth' the conference aims to help businesses to plan a pathway for growth and recovery following the last two years of upheaval due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce takes place next Thursday 9 June at the Canal Court Hotel and will run from 8.30am to 4pm
The event is free for Newry Chamber of Commerce members with a fee of £35.00 + Booking Fee for non members.
The event is supported by principal sponsors, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and supporting sponsors, FSB NI and SRC.
It is open to organisations from across Northern Ireland, not just the Greater Newry Area.
Keynote Speaker
Funding for Growth
Sales & Digital Marketing
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
The Future of High Streets
Sustainability in Action
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Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) will host an event focusing on digital transformation in Newry this Thursday 9 June 2022.
Delivered in partnership with Ulster Bank, the ‘Driving Digital’ event will take place in Custom House, Merchant's Quay, Newry from 9.00-11.00am. It will cover the impact of digital transformation on business growth, as well as cyber security considerations for digital success.
Attendees will hear from Terry Moore, Founder and CEO of leading IT security and managed services company, Outsource Group, will share his expertise on cyber security implications for firms in all sectors. He will be joined by Conor McCooey, Group CIO at Re-Gen Waste, who will discuss how the company has embraced digital solutions to create smarter ways of working. Conor will also talk about how Re-Gen is limiting risks and developing a culture for transformation.
This event is for business leaders, operational and commercial professionals across all sectors who are interested in digitally transforming their business now or in the future. There will be an opportunity to peer learn from Re-Gen Waste, get advice from Outsource Group, ask questions, make connections and network with other companies.
This event is exclusively for NI Chamber members and places are limited. To register please visit the NI Chamber website.
Check out the registration page for the event here.
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Leading architects, Gray Design has unveiled a brand new studio space in the heart of Newry. Located along The Mall, the space commands excellent views over the city as well as Camlough Mountain.
At the official opening Gray Design welcomed a host of clients and colleagues, old and new, to the state-of-the-art office. Broadcaster, Adrian Logan was MC for the evening and Newry Chamber of Commerce CEO, Tony McKeown congratulated Gray Design on behalf of the local business community.
Gray Design, which this year celebrated 15 years in business, has offices in Belfast, Newry, and Dublin, and offers a wide range of expertise in all major sectors including Commercial, Conservation, Retail, Housing, Transport and Leisure and is well known for delivering high quality services from modest residential extensions to multi-million-pound commercial schemes.
Gray Design has worked with major global brands like McDonalds, Starbucks, and KFC and its team has worked on projects in diverse locations such as USA, Switzerland, Russia, Hungary, Dubai, Qatar as well as the length and breadth of Ireland.
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