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With nearly two million tonnes of household waste processed to date, Newry headquartered Re-Gen WTE Ltd, has agreed another long-term licence with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WPHA), to export ‘Refuse Derived Fuel’ products from Warrenpoint Port.
Opperating 24hrs a day the company processes around 200,000 tonnes of waste at its facility every year and Warrenpoint Port is an important transit point for processed, non-recyclable ‘Black Bin’ waste, destined for Europe.
Anything recyclable is recovered from the waste before it is prepared in the form of ‘Solid Recovered Fuel’ (SRF). It is then shipped to Waste to Energy (WtE) plants in Europe, where it is incinerated instead of coal and oil, to generate electricity for home heating.
Commenting on the licence renewal, Joseph Doherty, Managing Director of Re-Gen Waste said; “The Port has been a valuable partner and an essential part of our supply chain solution. By providing a professional facility, Re-Gen can service our customer base amongst councils in Northern Ireland and overseas power plants, such as in Vasteras, Sweden.
“This is a win-win scenario for Re-Gen WTE Ltd, WPHA and local government as it advances the green agenda by being an important substitute for fossil fuels, as well as enabling councils in Northern Ireland to divert non-recyclable waste away from landfills.”
David Holmes, CEO of WPHA added: “Warrenpoint Harbour is delighted to be part of this refreshingly green initiative, which so sustainably and responsibly tackles waste issues. Re-Gen is a market leader in this area of green expertise and the Port is committed to continuing to play its part in enabling their success story.”
Re-Gen WTE Ltd is a sister company of Re-Gen Waste Ltd, which employs 240 staff across a wide range of disciplines. Its operations include, mixed dry recycling (MDR) processing, municipal solid waste (MSW) processing, transport and engineering.
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Leading cruise ship outfitter, MJM Marine has reason to celebrate in 2020 having just been awarded the Gold accreditation from Investors in People.
The company part of the Newry based MJM Group achieved the Silver Investors in People accreditation in 2017 and is delighted to have advanced to Gold Standard.
Elizabeth O’Connor, HR & Legal Director MJM Marine said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the gold ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation.
“This is a fantastic achievement given that we have more than doubled our employee numbers in the past two year. During this time, we have maintained our focus on our core values, ensured that new employees are integrated into the MJM Marine family and introduced a range of Health & Wellbeing initiatives which have all contributed to our success.”
Congratulating MJM Marine on their accreditation, Mr Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate MJM Marine on securing their Gold Accreditation. This is a fantastic effort for any organisation and places MJM Marine in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people. Gold accreditation confirms that MJM Marine has got the policies in place but more than that, it means everyone – from CEO to apprentice takes ownership for making them come to life.”
MJM Marine’s Gold accreditation comes on the back of achieving the Northern Ireland Bronze Diversity Mark at the end of 2019. This recognizes MJM’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the own workforce and across the wider construction industry.
“One of MJM Marine’s core values is Investment in our People and these awards and accreditations are a reflection of our commitment to our employees,” added Ms O’Connor. “But none of them would be achievable without the loyalty, dedication and commitment of all our employees who are the heartbeat of our company and the foundation of our success.”
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Newry City Centre has been crowned Northern Irish Rising Star, in the Government-run Great British High Street Awards 2019.
The Awards in partnership with Visa saw Newry commended for its innovative use of technology and creative initiatives and part of the prize was an award of £5000 for the local community.
Newry City Centre was announced as a rising star at a prestigious ceremony in Edinburgh, attended by the High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP and representatives from the 39 shortlisted high streets.
High Streets Minister, Rt Hon Jake Berry MP said: “Every place has its own unique strengths and challenges, but all our town centres and high streets have one thing in common – they are the beating heart of our communities.
“The Great British High Street Awards celebrate the grit and determination of local people who are dedicated to supporting their communities, growing their local economy and finding innovative solutions to modern day challenges."
Northern Irish Rising Star winner
Eammon Connolly of Newry Business Improvement District had nominated the high street for the Rising Star Award after efforts to restore civic pride while generating optimism to overcome challenges facing the high street.
The recent launch of VIP Newry Shopper, a text loyalty scheme, aims to help drive footfall and sales from existing customers. The discounts apply in over 70 stores and are all stored on a easy to use fob. The initiative rewards customers for showing continuous support to local retailers, and tailors their discounts according to where they shop.
Jeni Mundy, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Visa commended the community of Newry, saying: "Newry is a fantastic example of a community that has made huge strides in transforming its high street to significantly improve the experience for locals and visitors alike. In particular, its entry highlighted the launch of its new VIP Newry Shopper initiative whereby 50 high street businesses will offer a text loyalty system to customers, which will provide unique insight into the shopping preferences of the local community.
“Visa’s research reveals more than three quarters (77%) of shoppers in Northern Ireland say that a thriving high street makes a town or village a more appealing destination, underlining why we all need to get behind our local businesses.
”Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Eammon Connolly of Newry BID, commented: “We are honoured to be named Northern Irish Rising Star High Street and hugely grateful to both the Great British High Street Awards and Visa for putting our beloved high street on the map! It is undoubtedly the commitment, hard work, dedication and drive of the whole community of Newry and the surrounding area that has helped us to win this!”
Eight high streets, two from each Home Nation, also won Great British High Street Awards in the Champion High Street and Rising Star categories, winning £5,000 for community initiatives. The overall winners in each category win an extra £10,000 for their community. High Street Heroes – those individuals who have gone above and beyond for their local high street – were also recognised, winning a £2,500 grant
The Winners
High Street of the Year
Rising Star of the Year:
Champion High Streets
Rising Star High Streets
The winning high streets across all the categories were commended for demonstrating their commitment to their local community, great customer experience, an environmental mind-set, an innovative approach to retail and providing community leadership.
The Great British High Street Awards 2019, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in proud partnership with Visa, recognises and celebrates local achievements on the UK’s high streets and supports the communities in which we live and work.
For more information about the Great British High Street Awards 2019 and details on all the winners, visit: www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk
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Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade President, Emma Marmion has called on the UK Government to honour its commitments set out in the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU. Ms Marmion was speaking at a Chamber breakfast event today, the day the UK leaves the EU formally.
“As a Chamber we look forward to 2020 with confidence in our city and region. With a new Northern Ireland Executive in place, 2020 will bring different challenges, as well as offering opportunities for our city and region.
It is an historic day for the UK as its leaves the EU. However, it would be fair to say that it is a day that businesses in Newry hoped would not happen. Our businesses and the thousands of people we as Chamber members employ have benefited enormously from the free access to markets and the absence of borders.
The decision has been made and as a border economy we will have to live with the future consequences of that decision. The UK government in the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, has signed up to clear commitments to no hard border on the island of Ireland. They are commitments we expect them to honour.
In the coming months we hope the UK can secure a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU. If they achieve what they say they can achieve, our businesses will be able to trade freely North/South and East/West.
On this issue, as we have done in the past, we will ensure the voice of Newry and the border region is heard not just in Stormont but in London, Dublin and Brussels.
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A Newry company that has produced an App to help food producers comply with food safety regulations has made it on to the inaugural "Foodtech 500" list.
Food Safe System founded by Newry chef Neil Bradley is an App which monitors and records food storage temperatures. With the addition of wireless sensors and probes it automatically records and monitors fridge, freezer and storage temperatures every two hours as well as logging cook, display and reheat temperatures. The data collected is automatically uploaded to your mobile device as you work.
Foodtech 500 is a definitive list of global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection between food, technology and sustainability. The Foodtech list is compiled by Forward Fooding, a global network of entrepreneurs enabling collaboration and partnerships between established food organizations and startups.
The App is available for iOS, Android and web users.
For more information about the Food Safe System see WWW.FOODSAFESYSTEM.COM
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Newry BID and the Chamber of Commerce and Trade hosted a recent event in Newry Library for local businesses to meet with Land and Property Services on the new Business Rates Revaluation.
The event provided an opportunity for local businesses to meet with valuers from LPS to discuss the recently published Draft 2020 Revaluation exercise. It was also a valuable opportunity for local businesses to argue for a much-needed revamp of the rates system for businesses.
Speaking after the event Newry BID Manager, Eamonn Connolly said “Newry BID was delighted to welcome LPS to Newry to discuss the Draft 2020 Revaluation. The BID is lobbying for “business rates parity” with GB and we look forward to the wider rating review to see a fairer system being introduced that doesn’t penalise the retail, hospitality and office sectors like the current system does.”
Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Colm Shannon added “Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade welcomed the opportunity to engage with LPS on delivering a fairer rates system for our businesses. With a new NI Executive now in place, we have a real opportunity to influence the creation of a fairer rates system. A system which protects our high street and one that doesn’t act as a barrier to the many businesses that create employment in the Newry area.
"In the year ahead, we will work with Newry BID to ensure the new NI Executive works to prioritise the delivery of a fair rates system for business.”
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JMK Solicitors have announced they will be supporting Cancer Fund for Children as their charity partner for 2020.
Speaking about how they choose their charity partner, Maurece Hutchinson, Managing Director of the Newry based company said "Each year, our staff nominate two charities to support for the whole year. This year we wanted to choose one charity to really concentrate our efforts and raise as much money as possible to a cause that’s close to our employees’ hearts. After two rounds of voting, we are delighted to announce that the charity with the most votes and therefore our chosen charity of the year is Cancer Fund for Children.”
"We are committed to raising much needed funds through a series of events planned throughout the year such as the Belfast Marathon, Big Breakfasts and Dress Down days. We look forward to the year ahead and working closely with Cancer Fund for Children to support the children and their families when they need it most."
Alex Murdock, Corporate Fundraiser at Cancer Fund for Children, added “Cancer Fund for Children are thrilled to welcome the team at JMK Solicitors as our new Charity Partner for 2020. I am really looking forward to building a relationship with JMK Solicitors, that will help us continue ensuring no family has to face cancer alone as well as ensuring their employees have the best possible experience through their fundraising and volunteering activities.
“Cancer Fund for Children exists to provide practical and emotional support to young people (aged 0-24 years old) diagnosed with cancer and young people who have a parent diagnosed with cancer. Through our range of individual, sibling and group support alongside bereavement support and short breaks at our therapeutic short break centre Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down, our aim is to empower, connect and strengthen young people and their families so they feel better equipped to deal with the emotional impact cancer has on their lives. This vital support would not be possible without businesses such as JMK Solicitors by our side.”
“With lots of exciting events already in the pipeline and lots of enthusiastic staff ready to get into the fundraising spirit, we know it will be a fantastic year for everyone that will make sure Cancer Fund for Children can continue to be there for families when they are most needed.”
If you are feeling inspired and think your organisation would be interested in raising vital funds to support local young people and families impacted by cancer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Alex Murdock at alex@cancerfundforchildren.com or call 028 9080 5599.
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The Institute of Directors has issued a final call for Newry business leaders to enter their Northern Ireland Director of the Year Awards 2020.
The awards, this year marking their 10th anniversary, seek to honour the achievements of directors representing a wide spectrum of organisations from family firms to small and medium enterprises, international companies, and beyond across 10 categories.
For more information, to enter or make a nomination, visit www.iodawards.com before the closing date of 13th February.
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Grace Howlett, a former pupil at St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel is celebrating success after winning a top award at Ulster University Business School.
Grace from Newry, who recently graduated with a BSc Hons in Human Resource Management, won the Lynas Foodservice prize. The award was presented at the Class of 2019 Excellence Awards organised annually by the Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Dr Darryl Cummins, Head of Department said – “The Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing’s Annual Excellence awards recognise the skills and talent of individuals who are, or who will be emerging into the business sector of Northern Ireland and further afield. It is good to see current students and recent graduates return to visit their alma mater for the ceremony, and we enjoy hearing the success stories of both current students and graduates who have come to receive their awards.”
Darryl adds – “We are also very grateful for the continued generous support of our award sponsors and their ongoing commitment to the Ulster University Business School. As Head of Department, I am also indebted to the excellent teaching standards of our lecturers who dedicate themselves to making sure that our students achieve their full potential.”
A total of 26 awards were presented. Sponsors included The Belfast Telegraph; CAI Ireland – Ulster Society; CIMA Ireland; AIB; Chartered Institute of Marketing; Hastings Hotels; Marketing Institute of Ireland; Pure Running; Shredbank; Envision; Whale; Capita; Lynas Foodservice; Momentum Human Capital; Labour Relations Agency; Deloitte; Ulster Sports Academy; Grafton Recruitment; CBI; Axiom; James Leckey Design and Moy Park.
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