Newry businesses Media Lightbox and O’Hare and McGovern were recognised as InterTradeIreland Business Ambassadors at a special ceremony in Parliament Buildings. The event which was hosted by MLA Alastair Ross from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment recognised firms that have successfully embraced innovation, developed new cross border markets of secured venture capital with InterTradeIreland’s support. Every county across the north was represented by the 35 Ambassadors who were from the full spectrum of industries which together have generated at least £15m in additional business value to the economy so far. Media Lightbox has been selling its web based digital asset management solution since 2008 which allows to share and store data online. O’Hare and McGovern Ltd was established in 1972 and now employs 150 staff and 600 sub contractors. The organisation has interests in general contracting, house building, civil engineering, shop fitting, private development and Public Private Partnerships. Speaking at the event Mr Ross said: ‘It has been the drive ambition and innovative nature of our entrepreneurs and businesses that has been integral in getting the local economy on the road to recovery. The trading environment over the last few years has not been easy so I am particularly heartened by the success stories of these firms and their tenacity to be able to push through this rough period into the positive business environment that is currently emerging.” To date more than 25,000 companies have benefited from InterTradeIreland’s information and advice and over 6,000 SMEs have taken part in the business support body’s trade and innovation programmes. Commenting on their Business Ambassador status Shane Meehan director of Media Lightbox said: “Media Lightbox has had a strong association with InerTradeIreland since winning the Seedcorn Competition. In many ways our company has grown through our work with InterTradeIreland particularly via the Fusion Programme which has created a legacy of efficiency savings for Media Lightbox via innovative technology introduction.” Breda McAteer O’Hare and McGovern said: “Tendering in the Irish market differs to our home market so having the support and assistance from InterTradeIreland helped to make this process more straight forward. I would thoroughly recommend participation in programmes such as InterTradeIreland’s Go2Tender workshop and mentoring session to other businesses hoping to improve their cross border tender submissions. It helped increase the efficiency of our whole tendering team and we are delighted that it brought us such profitable rewards.” Also speaking at the event Margaret Hearty director of programmes and business servicesat InterTradeIreland said: “Wehave supported businesses from a diverse range of sectors right across Northern Ireland in every county and constituency and we are extremely proud of their achievements. These firms represent many of Northern Ireland’s most resilient and ambitious SMEs that are testimony of what can be achieved through enterprise and innovation.”
Newry Democrat
8th July 2014
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