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Local business JR Lighting has been crowned the Best Lighting Company in Northern Ireland at Acquisition International's 2016 Business Excellence Awards.
The prestigious Business Excellence Awards were launched to highlight and celebrate the outstanding performance and results achieved by industry leaders throughout the UK.
The staff and management of JR Lighting are delighted to announce that they have won Business Excellence Awards 2016 for "Best Lighting Company - Northern Ireland 2016".
JR Lighting recently won the "Best Small Business Award" in the Greater Newry & Mourne Business Awards and are now feel very humbled to receive this award, not just in Newry but throughout all of Northern Ireland to win is remarkable and a reflection of the dedication and hard work from the McKee family and their co-workers.
Managing Director Ronnie McKee said, ” We are delighted to have received this award and it is a great boost to our company. We are very lucky to have been one of the few companies that have seen growth, during and coming out of a deep recession.
It is my belief that this is thanks to our excellent customer service, hard work and our fantastic premises in this booming border city. I would like to say a very big thank you to all my co-workers and my parents whose entrepreneurial spirit was an inspiration to my sister and I”.
Managing Director Karen McKee also expressed her thanks to the hard working employees of the company and to all the loyal customers of JR Lighting who have contributed to the success and longevity of the business.
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Talon Security has achieved the prestigious quality management certificate, ISO9001,which it says will assure its customers of quality and professionalism to the highest standard.
Talon Security applied for the globally-recognised certificate in December last year and, following a number of assessments, was awarded the accreditation earlier this month.
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely recognised standard for quality management systems and helps organisations consistently meet the needs of customers and other key stakeholders in both the delivery and continuous improvement of products and services.
Kieran Tumilty from Talon Security said the certificate is a significant development for the growing security firm in its provision of door supervision, static guarding and mobile patrols as well as key holding and alarm response in accordance with BS7984:2008 and Event Security in accordance with BS 8406:200.
He said: “The ISO 9001 is a widely-recognised standard that we applied for to assure our customer base that they will continually receive a quality service that adheres to all rules and regulations.
“This is a significant development because it means we are dedicated to customer satisfaction. It means we screen and vet all our employees and also means we offer the highest standards in our particular industry.
“When we take on a site or venue we carry out all the necessary checks such as risk assessment, a venue report, a site audit – it’s not just about putting people with high-res vests in place – it is much, much more than that.
“It’s a calculated and coordinated operation designed to provide the highest quality service for our clients.”
Talon Security was formed in 2011 and has seen its customer base continually grow in numbers
It has won contracts in the last two years for major outdoor events, sporting events and music festivals and can also offer CCTV monitoring and remote access control.
The company currently employs 15 full-time and part-time staff all of whom are fully licensed by the Security Industry Authority.
Mr Tumilty believes the ISO 9001 certificate will enable the company to further expand.
He added: “This is a stepping stone to expansion and even highest standards.
"We have extensive experience in providing first class security to individuals and businesses across Newry and the surrounding areas in Northern Ireland and we believe the ISO 9001 will further enhance our reputation as a first-class provider of security.”
For further information contact Talon Security at 7 Linenhall House, WIN Business Park, Newry, telephone (028) 3083 5872, or email info@talonsecurity.co.uk
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Prestige Business Solutions Ltd have been shortlisted for a 2nd year running for “Northern Ireland HR Consultancy of the Year” award by CIPD (Chartered Institute Personnel Development).
The professional and experienced HR team at Prestige were Highly Commended as the HR Consultancy of the Year in 2015 and of course the team hope they are as successful in this year’s awards on 19th May 2016 in Titanic, Belfast!
Lorraine Rooney continued "We are approaching our 10th year in business this year, so to be recognised by our governing body is just the icing on the cake! Everyone in our team is really looking forward to what promises to be a very prestigious occasion at Titanic Belfast, so fingers crossed for a great result!"
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Local food company Around Noon has been shortlisted for the Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier awards with winners being revealed in a special ceremony taking place at next week's Balmoral Show.
The Newry-based producers of high quality sandwiches and snacks are hoping to be crowned the Best Direct to Store Supplier at the ceremony which takes place on the Friday of the Show, which runs from 11 – 13 May.
Now in its fourth year, the prestigious awards scheme allows The Henderson Group, who own the SPAR and EUROSPAR franchises in Northern Ireland, to recognise the outstanding efforts of the local supply companies their Wholesale business is developing their fresh and ambient ranges with.
This year, companies were invited to submit entries across five categories which included Enjoy Local Supplier of Year, open to companies who supply goods for Henderson Wholesale’s popular range of own brand products; Best Direct to Store Supplier; Brand Innovation Award; the CSR focused Tomorrow Matters Award and the Overall Local Supplier of the Year. (Full shortlist in notes to editors)
Organisers were delighted with the high level of entries received which came from a range of companies of varying size and structure from across Northern Ireland.
An esteemed panel of judges including agri-journalist Richard Wright; UFU Rural Affairs Committee Chairperson, Freda Magill; Ulster Business Editor, David Elliot and Head of Food Technology Development at CAFRE, Joy Alexander, had the unenviable task of deliberating over the entries to select winners to be announced at the biggest food and Agri fair on the island.
SPAR is a platinum sponsor of the Balmoral Show, giving Hendersons the perfect opportunity to showcase the excellent produce, practices and ranges of the suppliers it works with all year round, especially as the Show marks the 2016 Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink Initiative.
Commenting on the awards scheme, Neal Kelly, Henderson Group’s Fresh Foods Director, said “The Balmoral Show is the highlight in the calendar year for the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland and so for us it’s the perfect time to give back to our fantastic supply companies who enable us to deliver the very best quality, fresh, local food to our retailers and shoppers.”
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the high volume of entries this year and blown away by the excellence suppliers can so easily demonstrate. I’d like to thank our panel of judges for coming on board and bringing their food, agri and business expertise to our awards.”
“We look-forward to welcoming all of our shortlisted companies to a special breakfast event taking place at the Show were the all-important winners announcements will be made.”
Outside of the awards, SPAR will have a much wider presence at the show than ever before with a broad range of activities planned across the 3-day event. The popular enjoy local marquee will be twice as big this year and visitors are invited along to watch live cookery demonstrations by celebrity chef and SPAR Ambassador Paula McIntyre who will be showcasing the enjoy local range of fresh meat and produce.
The marquee will also be hosting a whole range of family fun and providing samples of some of the new additions to SPAR’S own brand range which has been created using top-quality suppliers from across Northern Ireland.
Other highlights include the welcome return of the SPAR Arena where show-goers can enjoy an array of family entertainment over the three days as well as the fully functional SPAR store where essentials for exhibitors and visitors can be found.
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Around Noon in Newry has won a top award at the Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier of the Year awards announced during a special ceremony at the Balmoral Show.
The company was awarded the Best Direct to Store Supplier, in recognition of the extensive range of products they supply for the Henderson Group brand.
Around Noon makes ‘hand-held food for people on the move’; sandwiches, wraps, salads and snacks. The company began trading with Henderson Wholesale in 2013 and in any given month, will deliver over 100,000 units to Henderson’s 400+ company-owned and independent stores.
Renowned Agricultural journalist and member of the independent judging panel for the awards, Richard Wright, attended the ceremony and presented Philip Morgan from Around Noon with the award. Also in attendance was Stevan Millar, Head of Agri-Food Support Services within the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) who spoke of the importance of growing our local agri-food industry.
Now in their fourth year, the prestigious awards scheme allows the Henderson Group, who owns the SPAR and EUROSPAR franchises in Northern Ireland to recognise the outstanding efforts of local supply companies their Wholesale business is developing fresh and ambient ranges with.
Joining Richard Wright on the judging panel this year, were some of the most respected names in agri-food and business including Head of Food Technology Development at CAFRE, Joy Alexander, Chairperson of the UFU’s Rural Affairs Committee, Freda Magill and Ulster Business editor, David Elliott.
Neal Kelly, Fresh Foods Director at Henderson Group said; “We had an outstanding level of entries for the fourth year of our awards and we’re hugely grateful to both our local suppliers and panel of judges for embracing this initiative each year.
“Around Noon demonstrated a high level of commitment to innovation and awareness of our brand, retailers and consumers to go forward to win the Best Direct to Store Supplier award. They are a key supplier to our stores and we are confident our relationship will only grow stronger to create even better products for our shoppers.”
“I wish to congratulate every one of our shortlisted, winning and highly commended local suppliers as we simply couldn’t provide the fresh and local range at the value we do for our shoppers without them.”
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Specialist in premium sandwiches and snacks, Newry's Around Noon has linked up with Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, another local artisan business, to develop an innovative breakfast ‘on the go’ product for clients in the Republic of Ireland.
The new product, part of Around Noon’s quirky ‘A Bit on the Side’ portfolio of quality snacks has already won significant business with a leading café chain in the Republic, features Clandeboye Greek Style Yoghurt with layers of nut free granola and a rich fruit compote developed by the Newry business, now a leader Irish innovator in quality convenience and snack foods. The compote is currently available in mango and strawberry flavours in a handy tub.
Both companies are based in county Down - Around Noon in Newry iand Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt in Bangor.
David Graham, Around Noon’s Executive Head Chef, commenting on the new yoghurt granola product, says: “We saw a gap in the market for a top quality and richly flavoured snack product for breakfast and other times in the day.
“Flavour was key as far as we were concerned. All the components had to be excellent especially the yoghurt. This focus on product quality and taste underpins our approach to all our products. We opted for Clandeboye Greek Style because it’s a strained yoghurt which provides a thick and creamy taste.
“We were also keen to work with another local company, another important consideration in our business approach. Most of our products now use ingredients and other supplies from other Northern Ireland companies.
“Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt works exceptionally well with the other quality ingredients to provide a delicious snack at breakfast or indeed any time of the day or night. It’s proving to be extremely popular with our customers in the Republic. Our objective now is to grow sales in Britain using the quality and taste of the snack pot and other products,” he continues.
“We are operating in a very fast moving sector that’s driven by the demands and preferences of consumers who look to our customers for deliciously different taste experiences.
“One of our great strengths is that all our snacks are still handmade. This gives us the flexibility to be able to respond quickly to the requirements of our customers seeking to attract more consumers by offering them different taste,” he adds.
Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt’s general manager, says: “We were delighted to work in partnership with Around Noon in helping to create the new snack pots featuring our think and creamy Greek style yoghurt.”
Around Noon, a family-owned and managed business has been growing strongly particularly in the Republic of Ireland, where it achieved 40 per cent growth last year. Overall, sales to all markets have grown by an average of 35 per cent year-on-year over the past three years.
Formed by husband and wife team Francis and Sheila Chambers in 1989 as a kitchen table enterprise, Around Noon has developed into one of Ireland’s most enterprising food businesses. It operates from a 27,000 sq ft state-of-the-art production complex outside Newry.
The company now employs 230 people and has a portfolio of 600 products including sandwiches, wraps and paninis along with salads, smoothies, juices and desserts.
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Last weekend Armature picked up two awards at the Tile Industry Awards in Birmingham. These are described as the ‘Oscars’ of the Tiling Industry in Ireland and the UK.
It was a very special night for Armatile’s founders Seamus & Pat McCann, with Seamus receiving a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ acknowledging years of hard work in the tiling industry.
Seamus paid tribute to his wife Pat, his 'rock' of 51yrs, his family and everyone in Armatile who has contributed it's success.
Armatile work on the restoration and transformation of St Patrick's Church, Donaghmore also won an award for ‘Best use of a Tile in a Commercial Contact’ a very competitive category with Armatile was up against five other entrants; three projects in London, as well as Harvey Nichols in Birmingham and Dublin Airport.
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Norbrook Chief Executive Liam Nagle will be the keynote speaker at Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade's Gala Dinner later this month.
The dinner will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 29 June in the newly refurbished Clanrye Suite in the Canal Court Hotel.
The Chamber are inviting members of the local business community to attend this prestigious annual social and networking event to hear from the Chief Executive of one of Northern Ireland’s finest success stories on its phenomenal growth from humble beginnings in Newry to one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers with an annual turnover in excess of £200 million.
President Michael McKeown, Newry Chamber of Commerce stated, “Newry is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and there is no greater example of this than Norbrook so we are delighted to welcome Liam Nagle as our guest speaker. This event is an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to come together and celebrate the successes of our region.”
Principal Sponsor of the event Mark Crimmins - Regional Director for Ulster Bank said “Ulster Bank is delighted to be the principal sponsor of the Newry Chamber Annual Dinner which rightly recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses based in the Newry area.”
Speaking at the launch of the Annual Gala Dinner, Venue Sponsor, General Manager at the Canal Court, Gavin O’Shea, said that it was a privilege for the team at the hotel to once again be hosting such a prestigious local event and that the hotel is very proud of its long standing relationship with the Newry Chamber of Commerce.
To reserve a place or book a table at the Gala Dinner please contact Newry Chamber office on 028 3025 030 or 078670302199 or email info@newrychamber.com. Tickets are £40+VAT for Newry Chamber members, £50+VAT non Chamber members. (Price includes a four course meal).
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Newry company Resonate Testing Ltd, based at Bridge Technology Park, Carnagat has been praised by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness both for their investment of 2.3 million in Newry and their creation of 17 advanced engineering jobs locally. Mr McGuinness was in Newry yesterday to officially open the facility.
The company will establish a dedicated testing and certification facility in Newry.
The investment will allow Resonate Testing to offer commercial fire and vibration testing to international engineering and manufacturing businesses across a range of sectors, including aerospace.
Speaking at the official opening, the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said: “This is an exciting new business venture by a local group with global ambition and aspirations.
“This new testing facility and functionality will complement the design and product development activities of Resonate’s parent company, The Nacelle Group.
“The 17 new advanced engineering jobs being created in Newry will generate £389,000 in annual salaries and provide a welcome boost to the manufacturing industry in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.
“One of Resonate’s target sectors, Aerospace is growing rapidly and this investment supported by Invest will ensure these unique engineering capabilities are available across the north and beyond.
“I wish Michael Thompson and everyone connected with Resonate Testing Limited and The Nacelle Group continued success for the future.”
Invest Northern Ireland has offered Resonate Testing £230,000 to support the construction and marketing of its facility as well as the creation of the new jobs. Recruitment of the 17 new jobs is underway. Six of the positions are already in place with the remaining expected to be filled over the next 18 months.
Michael Thompson, General Manager of The Nacelle Group, said: “This investment marks an important move to diversify the Nacelle Group into new sectors. Through the careful selection of technology, we have the unique capability on the Island of Ireland to integrate environmental and vibration tests to replicate operational conditions, an increasing requirement within the aerospace sector.
“We have worked closely with Invest NI to position ourselves competitively to target supply chain opportunities among our international customer base. We are pleased with our progress to date and hope to achieve our export sales targets in the coming months.”
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