Saluting the success of Northern Ireland companies
Declan Kearney, director of Communications at Aer Lingus with Outstanding Contribution winners, Noel Rooney and Sammy Douglas of the Titanic Foundation
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n the current economic environment the importance of the trading ties between the region and Great Britain has come into sharp focus, heightened by the challenges that continue to face the eurozone. Recently eight Northern Irish companies were rewarded for helping sustain the economic links that have been developed between Northern Ireland and Great Britain at the annual Aer Lingus Viscount Awards. The ceremony, which was held in the Corinthia Hotel, London, awarded those who have best demonstrated a positive impact on the Northern Ireland economy and a strong collaboration between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Declan Kearney, director of Communications at Aer Lingus said; “The tenacity and entrepreneurship that the winners have displayed is what made them stand out from the crowd, some recording their richest period of growth in their companyʼs history despite continuing difficult trading conditions. “They are all to be commended for their focus on innovation and new product development, bold export strategies and diversification.
Mr Kearney highlighted the importance of connectivity for companies in Northern Ireland who required access to the Great Britain market place and for firms seeking to do business here.
He said the continuing success of the airlineʼs Belfast‑Heathrow route reflected the strong trading success between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The competitionʼs winners were Most Innovative Company of the Year ‒ CDE Global, noted for their fantastic track record in
design and manufacture of equipment in their sector.
Exporter of the Year ‒ Premier Electrics, whose export ratio has risen to 97 per cent as a direct result of their bold export strategy.
Small Company of the Year ‒ Cunningham Covers, a family run company that has won contracts with 2012 London Olympics, London Zoo and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Medium Company of the Year ‒ Adelaide Insurance Services, noted for the fact that 75 per cent of their business is now in Great Britain, with quadrupled sales.
Large Company of the Year ‒ The Wright Group, with their significant win of the London bus contract and subsequent delivery in 2011.
Entrepreneur of the Year ‒ Mark McCusker, CEO of TextHelp Systems, whose range of software programmes have helped countless people physical and communication issues.
The award for Outstanding Contribution was created last year in recognition of a team effort that has executed a project that will bring visitors in their thousands from all over the world to Northern Ireland. This year, it was awarded to the Titanic Foundation for the
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The Aer Lingus Viscount Award for Overall Excellence was awarded to Chain Reaction Cycles, whose 30 per cent growth year on year was deemed by the judges to be the epitome of true excellence. Tracey Smith, accounts manager at Chain Reaction Cycles said; “We were delighted to travel across to London to pick up the Aer Lingus Viscount Award for Overall Excellence. Chain Reaction Cycles now exports to more than 130 countries across the world and employs more than 600 staff, and this award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team.”
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