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The 2016 Cross Border Business Support Expo takes place on Wednesday the 27th January in the Carrickdale Hotel between 9.30am until 12.30pm.
If you are in business and want to know about the support you can obtain or business grants you can apply for or which funded programmes will help you grow your business, you should go along.
Perhaps you need to secure finance? Thinking of entering new markets? Do you need help on how to survive? Are you looking to expand and/or recruit? Want to start your own business? Are you unsure of where to look for guidance, support and advice?
All the Business Support Agencies catering for the needs of businesses located within the Newry Dundalk region will be exhibiting at this unique event. This event will provide an ideal opportunity for local businesses to speak to all relevant Business Support Agencies in one morning, on a one-to-one basis, under one roof!
This is event is joint hosted by Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and is supported by InterTradeIreland and Louth Local Enterprise Office.
President Michael McKeown, Newry Chamber of Commerce stated "We are delighted to co-host this joint Chamber Cross Border event with InterTradeIreland and Louth Local Enterprise Office once again. The aim is to provide a forum where businesses can find out all they need to know about the support they can and should avail of."
Mr Thomas Hunter McGowan, Chief Executive, InterTradeIreland, stated "Cross-border trade presents businesses with an invaluable opportunity to increase their sales, develop new markets and benefit from all-island expertise and innovation.
"We encourage all SMEs from Newry and Dundalk and the surrounding areas to attend this event to see exactly what opportunities are available and how to access them."
Confirmed exhibitors at the event include, InterTradeIreland, Louth Local Enterprise Office Invest NI, Newry Mourne & Down Council, Louth County Council, Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency, Southern Regional College, Department of Employment & Learning, Regional Development Centre,EnterpriseIreland, EURES, Employability Louth, all of the main lending institutions, plus many more.
This event is open to all businesses in the Newry Dundalk region. Entry is free of charge. It will operate on a ‘business drop-in clinic’ format; whereby business representatives can call in to the event at any stage between the hours of 9.30am to 12.30pm on the 27 January.
To register for the event or if you require further information, please call Brenda in Dundalk Chamber on Tel: 042 9336343 or email Brenda@dundalk.ie You can also register on line by logging on to www.dundalk.ie/event/cross-border-support-expo
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Around Noon has appointed Maynard Mawhinney to the Board of the Newry-based specialist in ‘food to go’ solutions. Mr Mawhinney has extensive experience in the food industry especially in business strategy and marketing and holds a masters in marketing from the Ulster University .
Mr Mawhinney was previously Director of Food and Tourism at Invest Northern Ireland and is a Board member of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise. Maynard has recently been re-appointed by Minister Bell to the Board of the Health and Safety Executive. He is adviser to international consultancy BDO on food and drink.
Around Noon is a family owned and managed business which has established reputation in the delivery of innovative food solutions for customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The company employs 170 people in Newry and has a clear vision and strategy for growth focussing on both consumer trends and a strong management and operational team.
Gareth Chambers, Chief Executive of Around Noon, commenting on the appointment said, “Maynard will bring strong marketing and PR skills to Around Noon and will exercise a robust challenge function to decision making.”
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Best Property Services Annual Review saw both residential and commercial property markets performing positively in 2015, with Land prices continuing to strengthen across the year despite the downturn in the dairy sector.
The residential property market saw price increases of 5-7% across 2015 while demand continues to grow for larger family properties. Strong rental demand is also reported in all sectors of residential property and due to continue into 2016.
Adrian Patterson, Residential advisor pointed to a very positive December as evidence of an active market place. “Traditionally there is a tailing off of new sales in December as we approach Christmas but in the last working week of 2015, over £1.2M of residential property was agreed for sale.”
2015 saw further signs of recovery for the commercial sector Ciara Aiken commented. “Significant sales include a substantial industrial property in Greenbank Industrial Estate and retail premises in Newry City Centre to include Monaghan St, Hill St and Kildare Street.
Increased transaction levels were also evidenced by sales of commercial premises in Armagh, Portadown and Dungannon as well as a rise in commercial EPC requests,” she added.
During 2015 Best were also involved in negotiating claims on behalf of a number of tenants in Millennium Way extension, Lurgan and also the Ballynahinch By Pass. The Lurgan scheme is due to commence ground works January 16 while the Ballynahinch scheme goes to Public Inquiry at the end of the month.
Agricultural Land prices, during 2015 have continued to strengthen in spite of the downturn in most farming enterprises, especially the dairy sector.
Managing Director Garry Best said: “There has been an increased level of interest from the non-farming sector during the past year, both from an inheritance tax perspective and from successful business people seeking farmland as an alternative investment.
“The outlook for 2016 is likely to be more of the same with modest increases in farm land prices set to continue.
“Development Land, on the other hand is currently in strong demand with very little supply, particularly land for Residential housing. We would envisage strong growth and prices increases for this sector in 2016.
“Rural Building Site transaction levels improved significantly during 2015, with competitive bidding apparent in most sales and in some areas prices edging above the £50,000 barrier, not apparent in 2014,” Garry concluded.
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Pat Jennings was in town this week to celebrate 20 years in business for The Bureau in the Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry, and he just might have been stocking up with some Euros for a trip to watch his successors in the Northern Ireland team in next years Euro 2016 in France.
To mark the milestone The Bureau has been revamped with a new look store and a modernised brand identity.
The new look premises at the same location in the Buttercrane were officially opened by Pat our local sporting legend. The new Bureau has more than doubled in size, offering customers greater comfort and speedier service.
Speaking at the launch, John Gildea said he was thrilled to welcome Pat back to Newry. “I’ve always been a massive soccer fan and I’ve known the Jennings family for many years. I’ve admired Pat for his achievements on and off the field and it’s wonderful to have him here this afternoon to meet and greet our customers.”
The new look Bureau is a significant investment by the Gildea family offering innovative digital technology which tracks live currency market rates. The re-fit has been designed to enhance customer service, reduce queuing and increase efficiency.
John concluded “We will continue to offer the best rates and zero commission service that we pride ourselves on.
"The additional space created will give us opportunity to expand our digital services in the future”
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A Family Business Breakfast Seminar is taking place on Tuesday 1st December in the Canal Court Hotel.
The Seminar organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade in association with PKF-FPM Accountants begins at 7.45am.
Feargal McCormack, Managing Director, PKF-FPM, stated, ‘PKF-FPM is delighted to be jointly hosting this event with the Newry Chamber of Commerce. This seminar will be of interest to family businesses, who wish to increase the sustainability and survival rate of their business. Family businesses are vital to our economy and currently account for circa 75% of all businesses and accounts for 30% of employment in the economy. However, the startling fact that only 30% survive the second generation and less than 10% the third generation, highlights that assistance is needed to help the transition of our family businesses to the next generation and thus to safeguard our indigenous businesses.’
President Michael McKeown, stated, ‘Newry Chamber of Commerce is delighted to host this informative breakfast seminar in association with PKF-FPM who have a long history of supporting family run businesses. The greater Newry area has many family businesses; including some of our most successful companies. Close working relationships with family members present some of the best business opportunities however, it comes with its challenges. This seminar aims to identify and resolve the issues faced by these businesses’.
The Seminar is free of charge for members of Newry Chamber and £15pp for non members. To book your place at this event, please contact Newry Chamber on Tel: 028 3025 0303, Email: info@newrychamber.com or www.newrychamber.com
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Seven new brands and some £3.725 million investment in new shop fit and expansion will result in the creation of 120 new jobs for Buttercrane Shopping Centre one of Ireland's best known retail destinations.
Anchored by M&S, Dunnes and Primark, the announcement is a major coup for Buttercrane’s letting agents Lambert Smith Hampton who have secured VILA; VERO MODA; name it; Jack & Jones; The Works; specialist toy store Order Sixty Six; and plus size brand Yours in recent months.
New lettings into larger premises have also been secured for existing centre retailers Louis Boyd, Uberfone and The Bureau.
Centre Manager Peter Murray said: “This is significant cause for celebration and demonstrates the buoyancy of the retail market in Newry and interest in Buttercrane in particular. We are thrilled to welcome these exclusive brands and leading fashion stores to the centre this month, bringing our occupancy to a very healthy 98%."
"The new brands and investments by current tenants will also result in 120 new full and part time jobs. ” Peter added.
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Deli Lites Monaghan Street and Warrenpoint stores are hosting a ‘Giving Friday’ event next Friday 20 November where every pound spent by customers will be donated to four local charities.
As part of Deli Lites commitment to raise £20k for 20 years in business, Deli Lites Monaghan Street, Newry and Warrenpoint stores will host ‘Giving Friday’ in aid of their nominated charities; Macmillian; Children’s Cancer Care, Diabetes Association and Special Olympics. All monies that ring through the tills will be donated, with no deductions.
Siobhan Connolly explains: “Earlier this year Deli Lites pledged to raise £20k for charity to mark their 20th anniversary and we have achieved 50% of our target to date. We’d like to thank our staff for their commitment and our suppliers for their generous support of this event which means that every penny customers spend in our Warrenpoint and Monaghan Street store on the 20th November will be given directly to the charities.”
Customers can get involved by making sure they visit our stores on Friday 20th November, for breakfast, lunch or place an outside catering order. You can pre order a platter of sandwiches or cake for the office or home by telephoning 028 3025 1071 in advance. Both Newry and Warrenpoint stores will open to 9pm on Friday night with live music in the evening.
“It won’t cost you any extra – the only difference is that on Friday 20th November, the money you spend on your normal order will be given by Deli Lites direct to our nominated charities,” Siobhan adds.
Full details on Deli Lites facebook page
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Newry firm First Derivatives has announced it’s interim results for the six months to 31 August with revenue up 44% over the previous six months to £53.8 Million, giving a profit before tax of £4.6 Million, also up 27% on the previous results.
A Software revenue growth of 87% has been made possible by multi-year investment in software and new clients within financial services markets.
Further growth and strategic progress in consulting, with increased scale and broader expertise has also resulted in revenue growth of 28%.
The strategic acquisitions of Affinity Systems and ActivateClients for a combined initial consideration of £7.1m is also generating positive results in the digital marketing and utilities sectors.
Commenting on the results First Derivatives Chairman, Seamus Keating said “This was another period of strong progress across the Group. Our consulting division delivered revenue growth of 28% and during the period a number of initiatives laid the foundations for FD to continue our remarkable track record of more than 20% per annum growth in consulting revenue. Although we remain at an early stage of full commercialisation of our software products we are pleased to report an impressive 87% growth in software revenue as we continued to penetrate our key target markets in the period.
“The positive performance in the first half of our financial year has continued into the second half and the high visibility within both consulting and software gives the Board confidence that the Group expects to meet market expectations for the full year. We will continue to invest to position ourselves to benefit from our software’s technology lead, to build upon this and look to convert our pipeline of opportunities within capital markets and other sectors. We continue to believe the work and investments we have made, along with our market positioning in both consulting and software, provide a strong platform to meet our exciting growth ambitions.”
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Newry based Re-Gen Waste Limited has secured its first major deal in Turkey with the help of Invest NI.
Established in 2002, Re-Gen Waste specialises in providing a service which incorporates the transfer, processing and sale of commingled mixed dry recyclable materials including selling recovered materials on to end markets. These include paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, steel cans, plastic bottles and hard plastics derived from household recyclables.
The deal, to supply a key Turkish distributor with plastic, is estimated to be worth £500,000 over the next four months.
The company currently employs 152 people at its headquarters in Newry.
Congratulating the company, Olive Hill, Invest NI’s Director of Trade said: “Our sustained economic growth will only come from enabling businesses to develop their global footprint and Re-Gen Waste is an excellent example of a company that, through an ambitious growth strategy, is achieving this.
“The company is fast becoming an export-led business that has been quick to identify and exploit the extensive business opportunities in a marketplace that is still growing.
“Re-Gen Waste recognised very early on in its market research that it could take several years to make an initial sale in Turkey and were therefore patient and prepared to invest the time to develop relationships in this important market.
Ms Hill concluded “This has reaped rewards and Invest NI will continue to work with the company to secure further successes into the future.”
The company’s headquarters is home to one of Europe’s most advanced Material Recovery Facilities with a capacity to process 160,000 tonnes of Commingled Mixed Dry Recyclables (MDR) and recently they have expanded to processing and the sale of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) & Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF).
Celine Grant, Sales Director at Re-Gen Waste said: “The waste industry here is saturated and in order to secure the future of our business we had to expand our horizons and look to overseas markets for new business.
“We benefitted from advice from Invest NI’s in-market consultants who were able to guide us on many things including the size of the Turkish market, language and etiquette, the culture in Turkey and building relationships with Turkish companies. This in turn gave us the confidence to achieve this new business.
Ms Grant added “In 2013 we participated on an Invest NI Trade Mission to Turkey which was hugely beneficial and started a journey which has seen us secure this deal today. Since then we have been on a further two Trade Missions to Turkey, plus several return visits, and it has taken us this time to build relationships with the right companies there and to learn how to adapt our marketing approach to suit potential clients.
“We are delighted with our results so far and we envisage significant growth opportunities arising in the waste and recycling sector in Turkey over the coming years. Importantly, we now have the expertise and knowledge to secure further business and build on our recent successes.”
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