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Southern Regional College (SRC) in partnership with Newry Mourne and Down District Council recently hosted an innovation showcase event for local businesses - “Ready, Steady, Innovate” in Bagenal’s Castle, Newry.
Businesses of all sizes and from a range of sectors attended to hear how they could benefit from funded support to help their business innovate, compete and grow. Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr Mulgrew welcomed those businesses in attendance.
Cllr Mulgrew stated, “Innovation is not the preserve of science and technology businesses, all businesses have the potential to innovate and this Collaboration event between the Council and Southern Regional College has highlighted the many types of support available to businesses locally to help them take their business to the next level.”
Brian Doran, SRC Chief Executive stated, “It is encouraging to see the range of support available to local businesses on their doorstep. It is also important that support providers work in partnership for the benefit of local businesses and it is certainly evident from today’s event that this is the case in the NMDDC catchment area.”
The Business Support and Innovation centre at SRC outlined the bespoke technical support as well as the mentoring and guidance that the college offers to SMEs, which can be either partially or fully funded. Lorraine Acheson from InnovateUK was the guest speaker at the event. Innovate UK is the UK's Innovation Agency. It is the primary mechanism by which the Government funds and supports businesses in innovation activities and Lorraine outlined the funding and support available from InnovateUK. Other local support agencies included InterTradelreland and Invest NI who were also present on the day to inform businesses of the support available to them.
If you have an idea or concept that could potentially help your business to grow and if you need support to take that concept further, then contact the Business Support and Innovation Centre at SRC on 028 3025 9664 or email betterbusiness@src.ac.uk. The local team of experts can discuss your ideas with you and explore the potential for support.
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Following the Regional Leaders Summit in Belfast at the weekend Newry & Armagh MLA Conor Murphy has said that there is a great potential for the Newry, Mourne & Down Council area to develop, trade, investment, cultural and education links with China.
The MLA who met with Chinese Consul Madam Wang and other senior Chinese officials, has been involved with exploring the potential of developing a "City Connection" with a City in China and he has urged Newry, Mourne & Down Council to "seize the moment"
Mr Murphy explained "My late colleague deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had been instrumental in developing a strong and increasingly positive relationship and bond with partners in China. In April 2012, Vice-Premier Madame Liu Yandong visited Belfast and launched the Confucius Institute which has flourished and developed remarkablyand in June 2015 China established its own Consulate in Belfast.Invest NI has established Offices in Beijing and Shanghai. Along with the Executive Bureau in Beijing, thus representing a long term commitment to develop and grow our relationship with China.
"I believe that Newry Mourne and Down now has the opportunity to become involved in partnerships with China which will help create jobs, promote prosperity and at the same time promote mutual understanding of our different cultures".
The Newry & Armagh Elected representative continued
"The Executive Bureau have already assisted both Belfast and Derry & Strabane Councils in establishing links with major Chinese cities so I have been working with them for some time to explore similar opportunities for Newry Mourne & Down. I have informed the Council that the region of Changchun in China is keen to explore a partner with this area. Changchun is the capital of northeast China's Jilin province."
According to the 2010 census of China, Changchun had a total population of 7,674,439 under its jurisdiction.
Known locally as China's "City of Automobiles",Changchun is an important industrial base with a particular focus on the automotive sector. Because of its key role in the domestic automobile industry, Changchun was sometimes referred to as the "Detroit of China." Apart from this industrial aspect, Changchun is also one of four "National Garden Cities" awarded by the Ministry of Construction of P.R. China in 2001 due to its high urban greening rate".
He stated his belief that the Council should explore areas for cooperation.
"I believe at this early stage the Council should agree to explore areas for cooperation and mutual benifit which should then lead to a formal agreement.
There in particular is a keen interest from Changchun to investigate partnerships in Life & Health Sciences and Agriculture.
The Sinn Féin MLA concluded by saying that he believed their was exciting potential for this coming together to create jobs and promote prosperity.
"Companies from across this Island see that the great potential for them to prosper in the Chinise markets is endless.
"Chinese companies see Ireland as a natural base for expanding into the wider European, African and Middle East markets.
"The groundwork has been done and now I hope that Newry Mourne & Down Council will grasp this opportunity and take a lead in developing and growing a relationship not only with Changchun but with China."
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Around Noon announced as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK
Around Noon the Newry Based food to go manufacturer has been announced as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK.
The firm, which employs over 300 people mainly in Newry and acquired a London business earlier this year, has been listed in the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 – published at the weekend.
Only two Northern Ireland companies have made it into the closely followed league table this year – the other being Mac Fit-Out and Construction another Newry success story.
Around Noon appeared at number 72 in the listing, with sales having grown over 54 percent on average per year over the past three years.
The award organisers said of the company: “Sandwiches, wraps, salads and cold pressed juices are among the products produced by this company under its Scribbles brand. The business was established in 1989 at home around the kitchen table by husband and wife Francis and Sheila Chambers, 58 and 57. The Co Down-based firm is now run by their son, Gareth, 32, chief executive, and chairman Howard Farquhar, 59, after the pair led a management buyout in 2016, when sales hit £14.4m. Since then it has acquired Sweet Things bakery and Slough-based Chef in a Box, both for undisclosed sums.”
Around Noon CEO Gareth Chambers says: “We are very pleased to be included in the Fast Track 100 which includes a wide range of truly outstanding companies from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Over the past three years, we have developed our business very significantly, including adding some great clients, acquiring other companies, and expanding our business with existing customers. Being included in the listing is great recognition for our team who continue to put huge effort into further developing and growing Around Noon.”
Around Noon’s customers include blue-chip brands like Starbucks, Henderson Group and Insomnia Coffee company. It manufacturers a range of innovative food-to-go products from its base in Newry as well as in London, including sandwiches, wraps, salads and cold pressed juices.
See the listing at www.fasttrack.co.uk
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The provinces six regional Further Education (FE) Colleges have joined together to launch a new marketing campaign, “Let’s do Business” to promote their services to local employers and businesses.
The Let’s do Business campaign aims to raise the profile of FE Colleges as a “first port of call’ for businesses who want to re-skill or up-skill their workforce or who are interested in how they can diversify and innovate.
Further Education colleges have a range of funded training and mentoring programmes, bespoke training and initiatives available to local employers who wish to grow their business through increased profitability or product development, as well as budding entrepreneurs who require assistance in turning their business idea into a commercial reality. They can also help with recruitment, accessing funding and technical expertise to bring new products to market
The 6 FE Colleges currently provide a broad spectrum of bespoke business activities and to date have supported over 10,000 businesses. They are a springboard for providing the skilled workforce for the future in terms of Apprenticeships, Higher Level Apprenticeships and work placements.
A new dedicated website, www.yourcollegeni.com has been created to help employers identify the college best suited to their business’s needs, provide information on funding opportunities and establish better collaborative relationships.
Welcoming the new initiative Beverley Harrison, Director of Further Education at the Department for the Economy said: "Further Education’ plays a vital role in enhancing and strengthening the skills profile of Northern Ireland by addressing the skills deficit and so underpinning the creation of a successful regional economy. Further Education assists businesses to innovate and grow so increasing competitiveness across the region. The sector provides a strong collaborative offering across the region aligned strongly to the economic priorities at regional and sub-regional level. I would encourage businesses both small and large to explore they can benefit from the assistance and expertise of the colleges.”
Local FE Colleges are a valuable resource for employers offering support to develop a wide range of new technologies and specialisms. Each college has developed expertise in specific areas and employers have access to support from any of the Northern Ireland colleges.
Southern Regional College CEO and Chair of the FE Colleges Principals group Brian Doran said: “The FE sector is committed to creating a globally competitive economy. On a day-to-day basis the Colleges are working with businesses across NI – from the large multi-nationals such as Norbrook Laboratories, Terex to the SMEs and micro businesses - which are the very heart of our local economy. Through collaboration with the FE sector, businesses can improve productivity, innovation, and creativity to help support a more competitive local economy.”
Highlighting how they have benefited from the support of their local FE College, Liam Nagle, CEO, Norbrook: said: “Norbrook’s collaboration with Southern Regional College in the development and establishment of the first-ever Higher Level Apprenticeship in Applied Industrial Science in NI has been invaluable to us. We are able to address the gaps in our workforce and support the local economy through recruiting students into highly skilled positions.”
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Interior outfitters, MJM Group whose 100,000 sq ft production facility is based in Newry has secured a seven figure contract with Star Cruises which will see the company carry out its first drydock project in China. Star Cruises is part of Genting Hong Kong a leading corporation principally engaged in cruise and cruise related operations along with leisure, entertainment and hospitality activities.
As part of the deal, the Newry based company will carry out a series of works in 15 separate areas across 5 decks of the Star Pisces which will include the transformation of casinos, restaurants and retail areas.
Speaking ahead of the works, MJM Group Chief Executive Mr Gary Annett comments: “The cruise industry within China has been growing substantially with forecasts predicting that some 7- 10 million passengers will cruise from China by 2030. As a result, cruise companies are commissioning new ships and refurbishing existing liners for their Chinese customers which is where the opportunities for MJM Group lie. We have been working hard to break into the Chinese market and are delighted to announce our first drydock contract in China which is particularly opportune, given that the UK-China Regional Leaders Summit was held in Belfast at the weekend. Northern Ireland has had a long maritime industry and MJM Group is proud to represent our industry within the Chinese marketplace.”
Star Pisces will drydock in Shenzhen for the nineteen-day refit which will commence on 8th January 2018.
“This project is working to a very tight timeframe with just 14 weeks from the awarding of the contract to handover,” explains Shauna O’Hare, Contracts Director for MJM Group. “We have already manufactured various components in our factory in Newry which have been dispatched in containers to join the vessel for the refit to be completed by a team of over 85 MJM Group skilled workers.”
MJM Group is widely regarded as the world’s leading cruise ship fit-out company and has worked with some of the largest cruise companies in the world including Genting Hong Kong which owns Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises.
“MJM Group has recently completed a refit onboard Crystal Symphony on behalf of Crystal Cruises which has proven very successful,” adds Mr Annett. “Our drydock contract in China with Star Cruises, which is the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific, marks a significant and very exciting milestone in the MJM Group story. We are the world leader in marine interior fit-outs throughout the rest of the world and our aim is to expand this reputation to include Asia. As an emerging market for the cruise industry, China holds untold potential which MJM Group wants to explore. Star Pisces represents the start of a new chapter in the ongoing success of MJM Group.”
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Clare Guinness has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
She is the first female head of any port on the island of Ireland and replaces Peter Conway who has held the post for the past 12 years.
Ms Guinness joins from Fane Valley Group, where she held the position, Director of Corporate Services. During her time at Fane Valley, she played an instrumental role in the sale of the dairy to Lakeland and the joint ventures between Slaney, Linden Foods and ABP.
Clare Guinness also held senior roles during 17 years with the Bank of Ireland, working within the Real Estate and Business Banking divisions across Belfast, Dublin and London.
Stan McIlvenny, Chairman of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, said “The Board is delighted to have secured the appointment of Clare Guinness, who has a wealth of corporate experience across multiple jurisdictions.
Mr McIlvenny concluded “We look forward to working with Clare as she leads the development of the Port’s strategy, and building on its growing contribution to the local economy."
Clare Guinness will take up her role in January.
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Newry based Norbrook have announced their financial results for the year to 31st July 2017 with revenue increasing by £33M to £272M, a 14% rise in revenue year on year. Operating profit reached £50.2M an increase of £11.7M.
To further strengthen the company’s position in the global veterinary pharmaceutical market Norbrook have made a significant capital investment in this past two years of more than £26M.
Three new products launched in the last year are also helping to drive business, particularly in the US. The North American market grew +17%.
2017 also saw an Increase in farm and companion animal categories, up 12% and 20% respectively
Liam Nagle, Chief Executive Officer, Norbrook said, “2017 was a solid year for us. We invested significantly in the business with a second new laboratory facility; upgrades to, and expansion of our manufacturing capability; and continued investment in our IT infrastructure. We further strengthened our portfolio with three new products. Carprofen Chewable Tablets for Dogs in the US in particular, supports our business growth plans in this significant market. New product development is a key growth driver for us going forward and we continue to work closely with our Customers to identify new opportunities.
“We are very confident in our plans for the future and our portfolio. We will continue to invest in delivering growth and a sustainable business with a clear and focused strategy to take advantage of what continues to be a buoyant veterinary pharmaceutical sector.”
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Newry's Bluezone Technologies have been acknowledged by the NI Business community at the recent UTV Business Eye Awards 2017.
The company were highly commended in the Best Digital/ Online Company of the Year category.
Now in their 11th year the awards took place in Belfast with over 600 guests from the crème de la crème of local business in attendance. Viewed as Northern Ireland’s Premier Business Awards Bluezone Technologies were honoured to be finalists in three categories, Best Digital Company of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year and SME of the Year. With more entries than any other year before, other finalists included Musgrave, Henderson Group, Maxol, Thales UK and Keystone Group.
Talent in the Technology Sector
Commenting on the award Stephen Sheridan, Business Development Executive, said “Bluezone Technologies are proud to collect this award considering the vast array of talent among other companies in the category, it is an honour to have our product chosen. It highlights the progression we are making in our field.”
Build on Success in 2018
Adrian Byrne Bluezone CEO commented “We are delighted to be selected for this award, Bluezone Technologies aims to set the standard in EHS Software and to be recognised in this category is attributed to the hard work and commitment of our staff. We look forward to building upon our success in 2018”.
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Warrenpoint based The Beauty School have won the Training Academy of the Year Award at the inaugural Irish Beauty Industry Awards 2017. The awards saw 400 guests join a celebration of the Irish beauty and aesthetics industry at teh prestigious event in Dublin.
The Warrenpoint business won Ireland’s Beauty ‘Training Academy of the Year’ award and Elizabeth Feehan, Director of The Beauty School, accepted the award and pointed to the room “The reason we are the number one training academy is because of you... your dedication and passion to the beauty industry, work and careers continues to keep us inspired to approach each course with even greater love for what we do! We are grateful that you chose to train with us. Thank you.”
The Beauty School, also won the ‘Training Academy of the Year’ at the Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards earlier in the year. They are the sole distributor in Ireland for HD Brows, High Definition Makeup, Nouveau Lashes, and Gamax Nails, they also distribute Bellamianta Luxury Tan and their very own product MiniMi inch Loss Body Wrap. The Beauty School also have the only Collagen Wave machine in Ireland and carry out clinic’s weekly in salons across the nation.
The Irish Beauty Industry Awards 2017 seek to recognise and celebrate the growth of the industry and the success of the professionals working in it. The awards aim to reward not only beauticians and hair stylists, but also other talented professionals who work to make people look beautiful – from dentists to cosmetic clinics and tattoo removal clinics.
The elegant event was hosted by producer of The Opinion Line on Corks 96FM radio station, Brenda Dennehy. She welcomed on stage talented individuals and establishments, known for their high-quality beauty treatments and the exceptional service they deliver to their customers.
Irfan Younis, CEO of organisers Creative Oceanic, commented about the awards: “We are honoured to have such great finalists and winners representing the Irish beauty industry and enhancing its reputation at home and abroad. The awards reflect the talent in Ireland and the hard work and determination of beauty professionals.”
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