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It was a day to hold their heads high for management and staff of MJM Group as they proudly showed the media the end product of their latest and quite possibly their greatest project, the multi million pound refit of the amazing Azamara Pursuit Cruise Ship at Belfast Harbour.
The £150M Azamara Pursuit with a capacity of nearly 800 passengers and 400 crew has been completely transformed and renewed in the four month refit, a historic first for MJM. It's the first time a cruise ship owner (Royal Caribbean Cruises) has awarded complete project management responsibility to just one organisation.
Speaking of how the project came to be MJM founder, Brian McConville said "We've had an amazing trip this last year going out to Miami. We met up with the senior team, the directors in Royal Caribbean. We negotiated this contract - very very difficult"
The negotiations resulted in MJM becoming a preferred partner, an external partner of Royal Caribbean. "This is really really working well for us, so much so that we now have a pipeline of work thanks to Royal Caribbean and Azamara." Mr McConville added.
"I want to say this has been huge for me personally, this journey, this trip, bringing this all together, bringing it to Belfast. We had the opportunity, we did look at other places, Belfast wasn't the cheapest option
"We wanted to bring the ship, for 35 years in business, we wanted to bring it to Belfast. We had great support from our partners with Royal Caribbean, so eventually we got the ship here and I believe it is history in the making to get this vessel here"
Speaking of a test sailing this week, Gary Annett, CEO, MJM Group said "We have had a wonderful couple of days aboard the ship, trying out and testing the facilities and we can all say we had a very good time. We managed to get to the Isle of Man yesterday, Captain Carl Smith's home town"
Azamara Pursuit Captain Carl Smith started with Azamara in September 2007, spent a year on Azamara Journey and has spent the last ten years on the Azamara Quest. "I have to tell you when I left that ship in January, there were tears. I really really didn't believe that we could create an atmosphere on board a ship that would anyway close approach the atmosphere on board the Azamara Quest and the Azamara Journey.
"It's taken us four months of hard work and sweat and cover-alls and dirty hands, but we've got to that situation now. We've got 400 crew on board, we've been working hand in hand with Brian's team from MJM for the last 4 months and it's been fantastic co-operation both ways. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to watch. I've been at sea for 28 years, I've done many of these refits, and I've never yet been involved in one that didn't involve raised voices during the morning meetings. We haven't had a single raised voice in 4 months. It really has been fantastic co-operation so I'd like to thank Brian and all of his team from MJM."
Newry.ie asked Brian McConville how does it make him feel as part of a Newry Based Company competing with the best in the world to get a contract like this to which he quipped "Well if you weren't recording me I'd say we are the best in the world, It's everybody else who is watching our space!"
The MJM founder added "I have to say and I'm not an emotional guy, but the ship leaving and Captain Smith pulling six blasts on the horn as we let the ropes go and we moved out, two nights ago to go to the Isle of Man, I was almost overwhelmed of what me, my team, the MJM team, and I can tell you there's no other team like it in this world.
Concluding he added "It's about the team. It's about putting hard working decent people together, that everybody stands up and backs up each other to make it happen. That's what you actually need to make this a success."
Richard Twynam, MD, UK and Ireland, Azamara Club Cruises showed the visitors around the ship's suites and staterooms, the spa, two luxurious spa suites with every spa facility possible, a massive gym, although it wouldn't be the place us folk at Newry.ie would be heading to every day, The restaurants and bars on board, looked much more inviting!
Exploring the marvelous rear deck of the ship Mr Twynam asked visitors to close their eyes for a moment "It's New Years Eve, the suns setting, you're moored off the the Copacabana, the fireworks are just starting and this is your spot" not a difficult thing to do in today's balmy temperatures although opening our eyes and confronting the reality that if we really really wanted to 'push the boat out' so to speak, the best suite on the ship would set us back a cool £20K+, for a wee fifteen day cruise around Japan complete with your own butler of course..... Aw well back up the road to beautiful Newry - Rio will just have to wait till the numbers come up!
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MJM Group at Carnbane have announced that they have 30 new posts to be filled before the end of the year at their Newry based headquarters. It's part of ongoing expansion plans at MJM Group who currently employ around 500 people. A new phase of office accommodation is also due to open later this year.
The group are celebrating 35 years in business this year and new job roles include Contract Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Designers, Production and Workshop Operatives and a range of other posts and these can all be viewed on the MJM Group website.
The firm, which is part of the McConville family group of companies, has been in the public eye recently with the acquisition of specialist glass company Topglass in Toomebridge and for bringing the first major refit of a cruise ship to Belfast for many years.
Brian McConville, Founder and Chair of MJM Group said, “We are delighted to be making this announcement this morning. We are a dynamic and agile group of businesses and we believe we offer our people something different compared to the traditional construction sector. Our marine based projects give many of our team, the opportunity to travel all over the world, as well as locally on projects such as the Azamara Pursuit currently being refitted in Belfast.
“We have filled some posts in recent weeks but we are particularly keen to add to our project teams with talent from across the construction sector. We will soon be recruiting in our other companies as Mivan is growing and we have exciting growth plans for Topglass. We believe it is an ideal time for ambitious, talented people to come join our team.”
Gary Annett, CEO of MJM Group said, “We have a fantastic team of people working at MJM Group who do an amazing job but as we continue to grow, we need to expand our team. The McConville family are celebrating 35 years in this industry this year. Over the years we have continued to commit to investing in our people and offering them career development opportunities, including taking many of our people up through the ranks of the company. This announcement today helps us to continue to grow our business with the right people to take us through the next 35 years.”
Gary Annett continued, “We are one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting, growing companies. If you are considering a new or change of career in the construction sector, with a difference- come and talk to our HR team about the opportunities available in MJM Group.”
The McConville family group of companies incorporates MJM Group, Mivan, Topglass and a number of retail and commercial developments across Northern Ireland.
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A new £7.3million Whiskey Distillery, Bar, Restaurant and Visitor Centre is on the way to Newry after planning permission was granted at yesterdays Newry, Mourne and Down Council Planning Committee meeting. The Distillery aims to produce around 9000 cases per year of single malt, ultimately retaining stock for at least ten years for the premium market.
The project is expected to take around 18 months and will create around 50 hospitality jobs, as well as positions for a Master Distiller and staff with cooperage skills, to oversee the future maturation process of the whiskey distilled at the Monaghan street site.
Whiskey tourism is a multi million pound business and when completed, Newry will have a thriving international tourist attraction focusing on the US, Chinese, European and Australasian markets.
Michael McKeown the well-known Newry businessman and entrepreneur is the brains behind the project which will be located on the site of the ArmaghDown Bar in Monaghan Street in Newry, the former location of the Matt D’Arcy & Company distillery business which goes back as far as 1817.
The newly revived Matt D'Arcy & Company will include a fully restored Victorian bar, restaurant and international visitors centre.
The site will be returned to its former use as a fully functioning whiskey distillery producing single malt for the premium market on the international stage. The size of the entire project site is expected to be around 14,000 square feet over several floors with the £7.3million investment spread over three years.
Commenting on the potential of the project, Andrew Cowan, Chief Executive, Matt D’Arcy & Company who has over 20 years international experience with a host of iconic Irish brands such as Jameson & the delivery of Ireland’s largest tourism initiative, The Gathering 2013, said “We are thrilled to have received such good news on the positive planning decision. This will now see us move to the next stage of the plans for Matt D’Arcy.
“This is a really special development which will create jobs, fill local hotels and bring many tourists to this key attraction on the eastern corridor of Ireland, perfectly positioned between Belfast and Dublin.
“We have already received a significant amount of interest in the plans to develop the Irish whiskey tourism offering on this part of the island which we believe will be very successful.
“The Irish whiskey market is hugely successful and growing at a significant rate. Last year the market produced a modest 9 million cases with the 2020 target of 12 million cases looking like it will be exceeded.
“Our ambition is to create a world class tourist offering through the restoration of the 200 year old site famous for whiskey distillation."
Michael McKeown, owner and investor of Matthew D’Arcy & Company added “We took our time in bringing forward the plans to make sure that we got the proposal for the restoration of such a key site in Newry just right. The development of this location into a flagship international tourist attraction has been a passion of mine for some time and is an exciting investment.
“I’m thrilled that we are now moving forward with enthusiasm and that the benefits of this great asset will be felt by the business and hospitality sectors locally and nationally.”
Speaking of time frame Andrew Cowan concluded "“For some years now, we have been maturing our own whiskey off site and will release a premium matured merchant Irish Whiskey in early 2019 prior to distilling at the Monaghan Street location on completion of the construction phase.
“Very soon we will be creating roles for a specialist Whiskey distiller, maturation experts and are also at the developmental stages to bring forward the first recognised cooperage course to train young apprentices and rekindle a dying art.”
Edit 9/7/18
Newry & Armagh MLA Conor Murphy has welcomed the news saying “I must commend Michael and the Matt D’Arcy Company on their commitment to Newry and this project.
"He has worked diligently with all, including elected representatives, to bring his vision of creating this project at the old Matt D’Arcy Whiskey Distillers to life.
"This is good news for Newry City and the entire region with the potential of 50 jobs being created.I look forward to work on the development starting soon”.
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Newry Chamber of Commerce has launched the Greater Newry Employee Awards to help recognise top performing employees in local businesses.
Entries are now open and nominations can be submitted online via www.newryemployeeawards.com and entries are open to all businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area.
Paul Convery, President of Newry Chamber commented: “Promoting a culture that rewards and recognises top performing employees should be embraced. We encourage all businesses across all sectors in the public and private sectors to put forward a nomination which will be judged by an independent judging panel and celebrated at a Gala Dinner on Saturday 15th September 2018.”
A full list of Categories, FAQs and Terms & Conditions are also available to view on the Employee Awards website and the deadline for entries is Friday 17th August at midnight with the shortlisted finalists announced on Monday 27th August.
Mary Meehan CEO of Newry Chamber added “We are delighted to launch our first ever Greater Newry employee awards. These awards underpin the Chamber’s aim to support businesses in creating a happy and healthy workplace and recognising and celebrating employee success. It is important that employers communicate to the employees the criteria for what performance or contribution constitutes rewardable behaviour in their own workplace. All employees are therefore eligible for the recognition and nomination but only one nomination per company will be permitted.”
A full list of Categories, FAQs and Terms & Conditions are also available to view on the Employee Awards website.
The shortlisted finalists will be announced on Monday 27th August and the competition will culminate in a Gala Awards Ceremony in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa on Saturday 15th September.
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Kia Motors have been the first car manufacturer to be confirmed for the new £5M Shelbourne Motors, state-of-the-art multi-franchise facility opening in Newry.
The 50,000 sq ft development will create 60 new jobs when it officially opens with an additional 100 jobs during construction.
It will include four new car showrooms, new car handover bays, lounge-style waiting area with café and a drive-thru service centre with a 28-bay service workshop.
The Kia partnership will see Shelbourne Motors as the dedicated dealership supplying new and used Kia vehicles to customers in the Newry and Mourne area.
The South Korean manufacturer is one of the UK’s top selling car brands, selling over 93k new vehicles in 2017. Its range includes the compact Picanto and Stonic, the mid-sized family Cee’d; the seven-seater Sorento, as well as the award-winning Sportage.
Speaking about the partnership with Shelbourne Motors, Nigel Flude, Regional Franchising Manager at Kia Motors (UK) said: “Newry is an extremely important location for Kia Motors (UK) and this expansion represents an exciting step for our brand. This will be the first time that Kia Motors (UK) will have a dedicated dealer supplying new and used Kia vehicles to the area.”
Shelbourne Motors was founded by the Ward Family in 1973 and Director, Paul Ward, added; “We’re delighted to partner with Kia Motors (UK) to announce one of the world’s most popular car brands as the first franchise at our new £5m custom-built facility in Newry.
“This is a real statement of intent by Shelbourne Motors. Kia is synonymous with driving comfort, quality, reliability, technology, competitive pricing and the market-leading seven-year warranty."
Shelbourne currently employs over 130 staff at its 9-acre Portadown headquarters, where it operates Toyota, Renault, Nissan and Dacia franchises, as well as a Used Car Supermarket,Accident Repair Centre and Valet Centre.
For more information on Shelbourne Motors you can visit: www.shelbournemotors.com
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Newry based companies Healthy Built Environment (HBE) & Bluezone Technologies have won the Business in the Community, Big Shops' Showdown after raising over £13K for Cancer Focus NI, easily breaking their own target of £10K
The initiative involved taking over the running of Cancer Focus NI’s charity shop in Banbridge and Melissa Faulkner, Manager of the shop commented “We were delighted with the huge amount of money raised by HBE. Their volunteers worked really hard to achieve this magnificent amount.”
Numerous fundraising events were organised at their Head Office in Newry and supported throughout their Irish and UK offices. Events included a company BBQ and sports day, a Great HBE Bake-off, Super Hero day and a Grand Prize Raffle.
Clive Clarke, Managing Director, commented: “Our Grand Prize Raffle was a huge success, our very generous clients and suppliers donated over £2,500 worth of prizes and we sold over 8,000 tickets across the business. We also had prizes for the top ticket sellers across each region, UK, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, so there was definitely some friendly competition.”
“We were delighted to raise such a significant amount of money for such a worthy cause. All our staff, clients, suppliers, their friends and families put a huge effort into arranging and supporting all the events surrounding the day. This is a testament to the dedicated and commited staff we have at HBE and Bluezone”.
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A million pound redevelopment project on the site of the former Smyth’s Sports shop in Kildare Street in Newry sees the opening of Granite Exchange, a new shared serviced office development. Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade are the first local business to relocate there.
Chief-Executive, Mary Meehan explained why the Chamber chose the premises for their new home. “Granite Exchange offers Newry Chamber a city centre location in high spec, affordable, modern premises. We wish Jonathan and his team every success in securing new tenants to the centre of Newry and thank him for his continued commitment to investing in Newry”.
The enterprise will offer both serviced offices and meeting rooms at its Kildare Street base.
Jonathan McKeown, Owner of Granite Exchange, commented “We wanted to create a place where the offices are of a very high specification and professional in every way so as to attract both new and existing businesses looking for a prime location in Newry.
“We have completely refurbished the building. Significant investment has gone into ensuring that every room has high speed internet and wi-fi, automatic lighting, air-conditioning and key fob entry system. Whilst the building also has modern shower facilities and two fully fitted kitchens.
Our vision is to make paying for office accommodation as simple as possible so the inclusive monthly fee covers a great many items that are often over looked when an organisation has to look after a building themselves. Most expensive of which is a dedicated reception team. We look after everything so the businesses who locate here, can get on with growing their business without having to think about anything else”.
Newly appointed Manager, Colleen O’Hare is very much looking forward to the challenge of bringing the vision for Granite Exchange to fruition. “As soon as anyone walks through the door of Granite Exchange they are overwhelmed by the quality of the fit-out and the professional image of the premises. I feel sure that the clients of the businesses who locate here will be similarly impressed which will have an added benefit for our residents”.
Granite Exchange has a range of furnished office sizes available from 1-3 person office suites to co-working office spaces, perfect for a team workspace or one-person use. Meeting rooms, hosting up to 10 people, are also available for hire.
To find out more, please visit www.granite-exchange.com, email colleen.ohare@granite-exchange.com or call 028 30442500.
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Best Property Services in Newry are marking 140 years combined Director experience this month in residential, land and commercial services.
Managing Director Garry Best said: “We are proud of our long history serving Newry and the South Down region and grateful to home and business owners, our professional contacts and clients for their support.
“We are also very appreciative that our team of 15 staff – including the largest regional team of RICS Chartered Surveyors – who continue to deliver their best efforts for the benefit of all our clients, across our dedicated residential, commercial, land and valuation divisions.”
“This month we’re celebrating as the Directors mark 140 years’ combined experience and we’ll also be using this as an opportunity to reaffirm our desire to continually drive innovation in the way we do business and offer unique services to clients,” Garry adds.
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Freight capacity on the Warrenpoint to Heysham route is set to increase by 30% with the announcement of a €100M Seatruck investment which will see the popular 11 times a week route operated by two larger capacity ships.
With the UK haulage industry facing a HGV driver shortage between 45k and 50k (ref: Road Haulage Association), the advantages to companies of their containers travelling the Warrenpoint Heysham route unaccompanied is proving increasingly attractive.
Alistair Eagles, Chief Executive of Seatruck Ferries remembers the first Seatruck sailing in 1996. “I clearly remember watching the very first Seatruck sailing from Warrenpoint in 1996. Even back then we had a very strong belief in our business model, our service and our future strategy.
“Adding larger ships to the Warrenpoint route is the next logical step for Seatruck and I have no doubt that it will be very popular providing more unaccompanied trailer space to our growing customer base, as the industry seeks solutions to the ongoing driver shortage.
“The larger vessels underline the need for the Southern Relief Road which will connect Warrenpoint Port directly to the main Belfast-Dublin motorway. Seatruck fully support this key piece of infrastructure.”
Regardless of what way Brexit pans out the Chief Executive stressed the importance of the route “Whatever the outcome of the Brexit land border negotiations, Warrenpoint Port will continue to be a cornerstone of the Seatruck operation."
The expansion will see the four-deck Seatruck Precision and Seatruck Performance replace the current three-deck vessels.The vessels were built in Germany in 2012 and are proven Irish Sea ships that are currently on charter to another operator although they were originally designed for the Warrenpoint service.
In welcoming the announcement, Clare Guinness, Chief Executive of Warrenpoint spoke of the need for more space at the port as well as the importance of the planned Southern Relief Road “This is a significant investment by Seatruck Ferries and is a clear commitment to Warrenpoint Port and the wider Newry, Mourne and Down district, which will directly benefit from the increase in trade.
“We have a strong relationship with Seatruck and the Port is supporting the company with the provision of additional terminal areas.
“Our recently launched Masterplan outlined our vision for the development of the Port for benefit of the wider economy and community. Part of that strategy is to grow freight ferry volumes and this welcome announcement will assist the Port in realising that vision.
“It also makes all the more pressing, the need for increased space at the Port which must also be supported by key infrastructure projects such as the South Relief Road.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Mary Meehan, CEO Newry Chamber of Trade and Commerce who commented “Any increase in trade for the region is to be welcomed and I congratulate Seatruck on its investment in Warrenpoint and the Newry area.
“The Newry Southern Relief Road now becomes even more a priority for the Department for Infrastructure to improve connectivity across the region and support the growth of our local businesses.”
The expansion on the route is planned to begin at the end of August/ start of September with the two larger freight ferries deployed on the route. It will mean the route will be able to carry 30,000 additional trailers annually on the crossing.
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