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High value projects have contributed to an incredible 67 per cent rise in revenues for the Irish operation of Newry based mac-group, bringing it to £94m for the year to December 31, 2017. The £38m increase from the previous year has been driven by a number of high value projects for multi-national clients such as Oracle, Jacobs and EY. An ongoing £11M refurb of River House in Belfast should be completed by May.
Profits for 2017 were also up significantly, rising to £4.9m from £2.9m a year earlier.
Established in 2002, mac-group is a specialist contractor in the construction, refurbishment and fit-out of commercial office buildings. It has offices in Newry, Dublin, London and Birmingham and employs a direct workforce of over 130 construction professionals.
Martin Daly, Group Finance Director, commented: “In the past year our business has undergone a significant evolution offering an expanded service. This in turn has supported the creation of 40 new construction roles, including a number of key senior appointments. We identified an opportunity to expand our service offering in Ireland to include new build, general construction and reconditioning of commercial buildings.
“Our business ethos continues to be based on a partnering approach, the success of which is seen by the fact that approximately 90 per cent of the contracts completed in the past 12 months were repeat business. This is also testament to the quality of our delivery.”
“The Group’s existing order book is extremely healthy with a secured pipeline of work for 2018/19 which will help us to grow all aspects of the business, particularly in the UK fit out and construction markets. We are well on our way to achieving our forecast turnover of £175m for 2018,” added Daly.
Paul McKenna, CEO highlighted the Group’s growing reputation outside of Ireland: “Our London operations undertook a major reorganisation in late 2017. We recruited a new experienced senior management team with the objective of growing market share in the London design and build fit-out sector. We also opened a Birmingham office early last year that has successfully delivered numerous projects in 2017 and has a strong order book for 2018 and 2019. To date, we have successfully secured numerous high-value projects which will ensure that 2018 will be one of significant revenue growth and increased market share for the business.
“Traditionally, a small percentage of our work has been in Northern Ireland but we are seeing a real buzz and upturn in confidence in Belfast. We have secured some significant contracts for the next 12 months in the city and we are well positioned to increase our market share.”
He concluded: “Our senior management, in conjunction with the Leadership Institute from Queen’s University, Belfast, have embarked on an extensive process of evaluation and development over the last several months. This has allowed us to develop and strengthen our Vision 2020 strategy which will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years. It is aimed at consolidating our position as one of the leading client-focused main contractors in the UK and Ireland.”
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Family owned vehicle retailer, Shelbourne Motors are celebrating their 45th Anniversary in style with plans unveiled today for their new £5m multi-franchise complex on the Armagh Road in Newry.
The complex will include four new car showrooms and a drive-thru service centre, the first of it's kind in the province.
The showrooms will create 60 new jobs when they officially opens in early 2019 with an additional 100 jobs during construction.
State of the Art
The purpose built 50,000 sq ft development, designed by Clarman Architects, includes four new car showrooms, new car handover bays, a lounge-style waiting area with cafe, used vehicle spaces and customer car parking spaces.
It will also have Northern Ireland’s first drive-thru service centre with a 28-bay service workshop that will provide customers with a fast and convenient servicing experience with an emphasis on quality and efficiency.
Speaking about the major expansion into Newry, Paul Ward, Director of Shelbourne Motors, said; “This is a significant investment in the future growth of our business as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary.
“This modern, multi-franchise complex, along with the appointment of a dynamic and experienced team of 60 new staff will further strengthen our position as one of Northern Ireland’s largest family-owned vehicle retailers.
“We already offer customers an excellent franchise network and a quality customer experience and look forward to launching our new custom-built facility with its host of technologically-advanced features that will further impress our customers – old and new – in 2019.”
Shelbourne Motors was founded by the Ward Family in 1973 and currently employs over 130 staff at its 9-acre Portadown headquarters. It operates Toyota, Renault, Nissan and Dacia franchises, as well as a Used Car Supermarket, Accident Repair Centre, Vehicle Hire Division and Valet Centre. The business sells over 4,000 new and used cars each year.
Paul Ward continues: “Over the past 45 years we have prided ourselves on being a family run business that has continually strived for expansion, built upon an ethos of delivering exceptional choice and excellent customer service to our strong and loyal customer base.
“We have come a long way since we launched our first car dealership in January 1973, which today, is the longest established official Toyota franchise in Northern Ireland.
“Since then we have gone from strength to strength, adding Nissan, Renault and Dacia to our franchise network. We have also invested heavily in recent years in state-of-the-art showrooms for each franchise at our Portadown site, as well as a large-scale used car supermarket and an award-winning Accident Repair and Valet Centre.
“We are always looking to the future and our investment in this new state-of-the-art complex in Newry, with its significant focus on maximising the customer experience, is the next step to ensuring we grow our position within the local automotive retail and aftersales sector.”
For more information on Shelbourne Motors you can visit: www.shelbournemotors.com
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A new initiative is being launched to help equip local businesses (SMEs) with the confidence, skills and tools to benefit from the rapid growth of digital and emerging technologies.
Digital NMD led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with Southern Regional College (SRC) and South Eastern Regional College (SERC) will highlight the importance of innovation and growth and, over the course of the year, will help local businesses explore technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IOT), Immersive Video content, 3D Printing, and Big Data.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Rosie Mulgrew said, “Digital NMD is the next logical step in ensuring our local businesses are as fully equipped as they can be to tackle what has become a highly competitive business environment. I hope business owners and managers take the opportunity to join us and see what is on offer and how it may benefit their business.”
The project will be open to all business sectors but will concentrate on exploring new solutions for creative industries, tourism and hospitality, retail, agriculture, construction and the manufacturing sectors.
Digital NMD will focus on setting up innovative clusters to stimulate and highlight the business opportunities Emerging Technologies can bring and will deliver expert one-to-one mentoring, workshops, seminars and digital diagnostics on the subject.
Southern Regional College CEO, Brian Doran commented, “SRC is delighted to be involved in this collaborative initiative with our colleagues in SERC and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. We are committed to working in partnership to bring a world class service to local industry, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to enable them to compete on the global stage.”
SERC Principal and Chief Executive, Ken Webb said, "As a leading college in digital transformation, we are delighted to be part of this unique collaboration to help develop the digital skills of the region. The programme will enable businesses to fully harness the opportunities from digital emerging technologies and aims to provide participants with the distinct skills required to take up new opportunities in this rapidly growing area."
The programme officially launches on 21 March from 12pm to 2pm in the Burrendale Hotel where businesses can try a range of demonstrations, hear from guest speakers and learn more about the support on offer through the programme.
To register for this event and for more information on Emerging Technologies and support of offer, please visit www.digitalnmd.org
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Following on from last years success for Newry businesses in the Business Eye First Trust Bank Small Business Award, the search is on yet again for the top performers and movers in business and local companies are urged to enter.
Organised by Business Eye and First Trust Bank the awards known in the business community as the ‘BEFTAs’ - will be held at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday, 31st May 2018.
Now in its fourth year, the awards have become an important part of the business calendar and have produced some notable winners. Last year a number of Newry businesses took home trophies including Kukoon.com who won the Small Business Marketing Award and Bluezone Technologies who picked up a Highly Commended award in the ‘Start-up Business of the Year’ category.
This year, a total of 14 different categories will be open to businesses based in NI with 50 employees or less.
As well as a headline ‘Small Business of the Year’ Award, top performers in key sectors such as technology, agri food, manufacturing and tourism and hospitality will also be recognised. There will also be awards for our leading small business exporter, most innovative and customer focused businesses as well as top marketing and community initiative.
One new award joins the line-up this year and we will recognise a leading ‘Family Business of the Year’ for the first time.
Hundreds of entries are anticipated across the 14 categories and the winners will be chosen by an elite panel of judges from Northern Ireland’s business community led by First Trust Bank’s Head of Business and Corporate Banking, Brian Gillan, and Business Eye’s Richard Buckley.
Speaking about the Awards, Seamus McGuckin, Head of Business Banking, First Trust Bank said “We are delighted to partner with Business Eye once more to recognise best practice in our vibrant small business sector. Amidst ongoing economic and political uncertainties that continue to test the resilience of our business community, we see a commitment to creativity, innovation and ambition from our SME sector. The role and the voice of small businesses - which account for the vast majority of our private sector - is therefore more important than ever, and we look forward to celebrating excellence at the BEFTAs ceremony this May.”
Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye, says that the BEFTAs have helped to place a number of our leading small businesses onto a wider stage.
“Our small businesses have to compete with the big names in the business world in most of the awards which exist on the local front, but these awards are different in that they turn the spotlight on the most important part of our economy.”
“These awards give small businesses right across the spectrum the chance to go head to head with businesses of a similar size and scale, and we’re very confident that we’ll be seeing some excellent case studies emerge between now and the start of May.”
For further information please contact Ciara Donnelly at Business Eye on 028 9047 4490 or email ciara@businesseye.co.uk.
Closing date for entries is Friday 27th April 2018, and local small businesses can enter online at www.businesseyeawards.co.uk
The Categories
Small Business Marketing Award
Open to companies in all sectors of the local business community, this award sets out to recognise and showcase the organisation which best uses marketing – including advertising, PR or the strategic use of digital platforms and social media - to enhance business performance across the board.
Innovative Business of the Year Award
Open to companies operating in any business sector, this award will go to the organisation which best illustrates the most effective use of innovation through investment in innovative practices, leading edge products and/or services to contribute to overall business success.
Start-Up Business of the Year Award
This award will recognise Northern Ireland’s most promising start-up enterprise. The award will go to a young company of one year old or less since establishment which, in the view of the judging panel, best illustrates what can be achieved by start-up businesses across any sector here in Northern Ireland.
Community Contribution Award
Despite smaller budgets, corporate responsibility plays a role for small businesses in Northern Ireland. This special award will recognise the best example of how small businesses here can help to make a difference in the communities they serve.
Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year Award
A special category aimed directly at Northern Ireland’s growing number of small tourism and hospitality-related business enterprises, including pubs, restaurants, cafes, smaller hotels, tourism activity businesses and transport and travel providers.
Family Business of the Year
A new addition to the line-up for 2018, the Family Business of the Year category is open to all businesses (less than 50 employees) which remain in family ownership and are based here in Northern Ireland.
Manufacturing Business of the Year Award
A category open to all small businesses engaged directly in the manufacture of products for sale in Northern Ireland and in export markets. The judges will look for evidence of research and development and innovation in manufacturing.
Exporter of the Year
An award which will recognise the top achieving exporting company from Northern Ireland’s small business community, recognising sales achievement in all markets outside of Northern Ireland itself, including both the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
Independent Retailer of the Year Award
This award will recognise a leading player from Northern Ireland’s traditionally strong independently-owned retail sector. The category is open to locally-owned retail businesses, including both single site retailers and independent retail groups who meet the overall Small Business Awards criteria, i.e. 50 employees or less. The judging panel will look for evidence of innovation, strong business performance and both customer focus and customer satisfaction.
Healthcare Business of the Year Award
Another specialist category, aimed at small business enterprises in the healthcare field here in Northern Ireland. This category is open to all business-led healthcare related organisations including opticians, dental practices and enterprises such as care homes for the elderly.
Agri Food Business of the Year Award
Northern Ireland’s leading small business operating in the agri food sector, to include food and drink producers, farm-based enterprises and companies providing products and services to the agri-food industry here.
Technology Business of the Year Award
This award is open to all small businesses based in Northern Ireland who provide products and/ or services in the wider technology field, including IT services, software development, technology product innovation and consultancy.
Customer Focus Award
Our judging panel will single out the local small business which most effectively brings to life best practice in customer service across all of its operations. The judges will look for clear evidence of customer satisfaction.
Small Business of the Year Award
The small business enterprise of 50 employees or less which, in the opinion of the judges, exemplifies best practice and achievement across the board. Entries for this premier award category can be made directly and winning entries in all other categories will also be considered.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney was keynote speaker at last weeks unique conference in the Carrickdale Hotel that saw almost 400 people in attendance.
Tániste Coveney saw at first hand the continuing close working relationships enjoyed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Louth County Council, the Newry and Dundalk Chambers of Commerce, InterTradeIreland and Local Enterprise Offices in Newry and Louth.
During his keynote address the Tániste provided reassurance on the European Council agreement in December and commented on the priorities in the next phase of negotiations emphasising that any type of border North-South or East-West would have disastrous effects economically, politically and socially. He also underlined the importance of ensuring that we are all ‘Brexit-Ready’.
Speaking at the conference Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to co-host this conference with key local and cross-border partners in an area which will be most impacted by Brexit. The conference reinforced that businesses need to start planning now to prepare for all eventualities in order to mitigate future risks and minimise the impact of Brexit’."
Attendees also heard from a wide range of speakers providing very comprehensive advice on issues such as taxation, customs and movement of people. It was clear that the scale of this challenge was unprecedented and pleas were made from businesses for good sense to prevail to protect the future of Ireland and Britain.
Paul Convery, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce added “The scale of this event is a clear indication of the importance of Brexit dialogue and engagement on all levels. It was an unrivalled platform for our members to see and fully understand the support that the Chambers and our cross-border partners are providing”.
Also speaking at the event Louth County Council Cathaoirleach, Councillor Colm Markey said, "Brexit is one of the most significant challenges facing business and our community in recent generations. Because of its potential impact, it is critically important businesses start preparing for Brexit. I’m delighted that Louth County Council is co-hosting this informative event with our cross-border partners, which will help businesses start their preparations.”
Adding his praise for the 'unprecedented event was President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Michael Gaynor “We are delighted with the huge turnout of attendees and the success of the event. The collective nature of engagement was unprecedented and further validates the importance of this issue for all of our members”.
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PIPS Hope and Support (formerly PIPS Newry and Mourne) have received £1405 from staff and customers from Autoline Newry.
The money was raised last year through a range of activities organised by local branch charity champions, Sharon Ruddy and Roisin Cowan. Events included non-uniform days, a coffee morning, a Halloween bake off and pumpkin carving competition, and a Christmas Jumper Day.
Autoline’s Sales Director, Caroline Currie, said “We’re really pleased with the support our customers and friends gave us during the year to help with our fundraising campaign. This is a charity close to our hearts and was chosen by the staff in Newry.
“Autoline’s ethos is ‘We’re With You’ and is very supportive of community initiatives. We encourage staff to choose a local charity every year and provide them with the freedom and time to organise and plan events.”
Thelma Thompson, Fundraising Coordinator from PIPS Hope and Support, a suicide awareness charity which supports vulnerable people and those at risk of suicidal behaviours. said “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Board, Staff and Volunteers at PIPS Hope and Support to thank the staff and customers from Autoline Newry for their help and support.
“We are extremely grateful for this very generous donation that will be used to help reduce the stigma of suicide and increase awareness and training in our area.”
PIPS Hope and Support provides suicide prevention and bereavement support services, plus counselling and therapies across Northern Ireland. Since 2003 the charity has delivered Suicide Prevention Training to thousands of people.
PIPS Hope and Support can be contacted on 028 302 66195
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For the fourth year in a row JMK Solicitors are in top position as the leading personal injury law firm in NI, handling more cases locally than any other legal firm.
The Newry and Belfast based legal firm established in 2003 had a record 1,420 separate personal injury cases registered in 2017, a 9% growth on the previous year and almost twice as many cases than its nearest competitor, according to figures released by the Compensation Recovery Unit, a division of the Department for Communities.
The company credited its continued growth to a programme of investment in staff, technology, brand awareness and exclusive focus on personal injury and road traffic claims. The firm’s efforts were rewarded with the attaining of the prestigious Lexcel Quality Mark during 2017.
Maurece Hutchinson, JMK Solicitors’ Managing Director, said “We are pleased that we have continued to grow over the last 12 months. We made a strategic decision in 2012 to concentrate solely on personal injury and road traffic claims. Our team, which has now grown to over 60, have built up specialist skills and significant knowledge in this area of law.
“As well as adding new team members, we have provided staff with the latest phones, tablet and desktop computers for home and remote use to enable them to work more efficiently and effectively for our clients. Additionally we have refurbished both our Belfast and Newry offices to create the best working environment.
“We are committed to ensuring that our clients fully recover their losses with the least possible stress from the legal process. I am very proud that due to the dedicated and personal service we provide over 99% of our clients would recommend JMK Solicitors to a friend”.
JMK have also received the Lexcel Quality award. The scheme is administered by the Law Society of Northern Ireland and recognises firms that achieve excellence in legal practice management and client care.
Assessors highlighted that JMK achieved “a very high standard” and the “company had gone above and beyond compliance with the standard”. They also praised JMK’s “pioneering” approach to having a paperless office with all files being managed electronically.
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Maria Walsh a former Sacred Heart Grammar School student has joined one of the provinces largest law firms, Tughans as one of of four newly qualified solicitors at the firm. They have also appointed three new trainee solicitors.
Tughans has made a significant investment in young legal talent with the appointments. Maria graduated in law from Queen’s University Belfast and has been appointed an Associate Solicitor in Tughans’ Corporate Department.
James Donnelly, Partner, Tughans, said, “Recruitment at junior level is of paramount importance to support our continued growth plans. These promising individuals represent an investment in the future of the company and we are committed to developing their skills in line with the firm’s values and for the ultimate benefit of our clients.”
“Highly talented and very ambitious, these young people will bring a fresh perspective and provide added depth across our business. As well as providing an ongoing professional development programme for our four newly qualified recruits, we will also be enabling the three trainee solicitors to experience all of the legal areas in which Tughans specialises during their two-year contract.”
Based in Belfast, Tughans has a professional team of over 100 people.
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Ulster Bank partnering with Newry Chamber of Commerce are bringing their Boost Bites roadshow to the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on 14 February.
‘Boost Bites’ is a series of free-to-attend business-focused events covering topics including cyber security, GDPR, growing your business and challenges in doing so, and much more.
The event plans to help local businesses better equip themselves in a digital economy as the May 2018 deadline for general data protection regulations (GDPR) nears.
Attendees will learn about the importance of GDPR and how upcoming regulations could affect your business.
Speaking at the event local barrister Orlagh Kelly, owner of Briefed – the GDPR compliance specialists – will facilitate a session on the factors local businesses in the Newry area should consider when retaining customer data and information to ensure they are compliant ahead of significant regulation changes in May this year.
Cara Taylor, Business Growth Enabler for the south of Northern Ireland at Ulster Bank, explains:
“Ulster Bank Boost was created to support local business owners across Northern Ireland to provide them with the tools, knowledge and networks to grow.
“Beyond providing first-rate business banking services, our upcoming Ulster Bank Boost event in Newry will provide local business owners with insight into upcoming regulation changes that might impact how they do business.
“With just under four months now until the new GDPR regulations come into effect, it is hoped that local business owners are taking the necessary steps to ensure GDPR compliancy. However, we hope our event in partnership with Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade on the changes ahead will shed some light for local business owners and support them to adjust how they use and store customer data and information.”
Philip McNeill, Business Development Manager at Ulster Bank, says: “Taking Ulster Bank Boost on the road with the Boost Bites series will help us reach out to more local businesses and give them tools that can make them more sustainable, profitable and compliant.”
First launched in 2017, Ulster Bank’s Boost initiative aims to support small businesses through a series of talks and events, access to insight, expertise and networking opportunities.
To register for this event, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk
For more information or to register your interest in an event happening in your area, visit digital.ulsterbank.co.uk
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