Home Articles » Best businesses in NI rewarded for promoting East-West economic ties
Best businesses in NI rewarded for promoting East-West economic ties
Posted on Thursday 24 May 2012 by Ulster Business
Symon Ross, Editor of Ulster Business, Paul McKernan, Chain Reaction Cycles, Declan Kearney, Director of Communications at Aer Lingus, Tracey Smith, Chain Reaction Cycles and Michael Taylor, Editorial Director at Insider.
This week saw eight Northern Irish companies rewarded for helping sustain the economic ties that have been developed between NI and Great Britain at the annual Aer Lingus Viscount Awards in association with Ulster Business and Insider media.
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 NI and GB.
The panel was made up of Declan Kearney, Aer Lingus, Tracy Meharg, Invest NI, Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce, Mervyn McCall, IoD, Symon Ross, Ulster Business, Adrienne McGill, News Letter, Gary McDonald, Irish News, Alan Taylor, Arthur Cox and Michael Taylor, Insider.
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 company's history despite continuining difficult trading conditions.
"They are all to be commended for their focus on innovation and new product development, bold export strategies and diversification," he added.
The 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% 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% 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 tremendous potential of Titanic Belfast.
The Aer Lingus Viscount Award for Overall Excellence was awarded to Chain Reaction Cycles, whose 30% 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."
For more information on the Aer Lingus Viscount Awards please visit
http://viscountawards.ulsterbusiness.com
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