Work begins on building on strong connections made in Boston and Philadelphia

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Work begins on building on strong connections made in Boston and Philadelphia

Ireland Northwest Delegation members

Ireland Northwest Delegation members


A first ever North West Trade delegation trip to Philadelphia next summer is one of a number of positive outcomes from last week’s joint Council led trade and investment mission in North East America.

The delegation, led by Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh and Leas Cathoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Noel Jordan, included representatives from 15 local companies, Údaras Na Gaeltachta and senior council officers.

Representatives from Ulster University, North West Regional College and Letterkenny IT also made the trip as the region presented a united front to showcase its offering for inward investment and potential export opportunity.

A key element of the trip was showcasing the region’s entrepreneurship and innovation and to provide local companies with an opportunity to tie into the US market.

The delegation returned to Ireland at the weekend and work has already begun on building on the strong connections made during their week in the US.

“The mission sought to build on the ongoing positive work being carried out by the two Councils to establish strong economic development links and initiatives in the US,” explained Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie.

“We showcased the region as a well placed, cost competitive investment hub with high speed broadband and a young, talented and well educated workforce.

“Our message was well received and the challenge now is to build on the many positive connections the Councils and travelling companies have made to deliver increased education links and export relationships between our two regions and attract more direct investment into the North West region.”

The delegation began their five day trip in Philadelphia where they met with the City’s Mayor Jim Kenney and representatives from the City’s Chamber of Commerce and civic representatives to plan the details on the 2018 trade mission.

After a day exploring business and life science partnerships in the City of Worcester and an evening meeting with Irish Consul-General Fionnuala Quinlan on Tuesday, the delegation met up with the 15 local companies for the start of three days of networking in Boston.

On Wednesday morning, the Ireland North West Showcase presentation at allowed both Councils to sell the region as a prime area for investment before a networking event allowed the local companies to meet with potential partners in the US.

Thursday saw the delegation take part in an Invest NI breakfast with Ireland’s Ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall and key decision makers before a meeting with the City of Boston International Economic Development Office and a visit to Boston’s House of Representatives.

The week climaxed with the annual Golden Bridges Conference and Awards on Friday at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Centre where officers from Ulster University, Letterkenny IT and the North West Regional College joined representatives from Harvard in a panel discussion on the benefits of a strategic alliance between the three further and higher education providers in the region and the increasing partnerships with Boston-based colleges.

Delegates heard from Derry City and Strabane District Council Chief Executive John Kelpie and Donegal County Council Chief Executive Seamus Neely who discussed Ireland’s role as America’s Best Friend in Europe. Officers from both Councils also discussed ‘Driving Tourism to the North West through World Class Events’ and ‘Helping Start-ups Survive and Thrive’.

Reflecting on the trip, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, said the joined up approach of the region’s civic, business and educational representatives filled him with optimism for the future.

“The message from the Ireland North West delegation was very clear, that we were a prime location for inward investment and trade with Derry as a city operating in partnership with the regional towns of Strabane and Letterkenny,” he noted.

“The trip highlighted the importance of the joined up strategy of our educational institutions with the North West Regional College’s campuses in Strabane and Derry working alongside their colleagues in Ulster University and the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

“Those institutions’ are part of a strong working relationship with Council and our local businesses and their flexibility in being able to adopt to the needs of industry to address any skills shortages was reassuring to potential investors.”

Among the companies from the Derry City and Strabane District Council area in the Ireland North West delegation are AE Global (formerly Allpipe Engineering); The Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC); ActionSense Ltd; Makematic; NeuroConcise; O’Neill’s Irish International Sports Co Ltd; Troll Inc; and Type 40 Creative.

While Aniar Cumhacht Teoranta; Algaran Teoranta; O’Donnell’s Bakery; Silver Birch Gallery; Meastoiri Domhanda Teo; Eilis Galbraith and DS Environmental Services Ltd from the Donegal County Council area also took part.

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Derry set to strengthen trade links with China

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Derry set to strengthen trade links with China

The city of Dalian and Zhongshan Square, Liaoning Province, China

The city of Dalian and Zhongshan Square, Liaoning Province, China


Derry’s council is set to strengthen its trade links with a city in China as part of a push to attract future investment, it’s emerged.

The move is part of a wider strategy by Derry City and Strabane Council, which also involves building trade relations with Boston and Philadelphia.

Earlier this week a delegation, led by Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh and Leas Cathoirleach of Donegal County Council visited both regions to discuss bolstering trading links between the northwest and the US.

It’s now emerged that council has now its sights set on Dalian in the Liaoning Province of China as a potential target for future trade missions.

Dalian is seen as the financial, shipping and logistics centre for Northeast Asia.

The plans were discussed at Friday afternoon’s meeting of council’s Business and Culture committee, where Stephen Gillespie, Director of Business and Culture with the council, gave an update on its International Relations Activities.

The meeting heard that council has been undertaking activities to ‘enhance its reputation and capacity to attract investment, expand business opportunity, extending the global reach of the region and its economy’.

As part of this, Mr Gillespie added that council is ‘actively developing its international connections through a range of channels and relationships such as trade missions and international activation visits’.

He continued: “These relationships need to be formalised over time and a number of activities are in the pipeline which will strengthen this.”

He added these would involve a range of partners include the Ulster University, North West Regional College (NWRC), Invest NI and ‘other bodies with shared ambitions’.

Councillors were then asked to give approval for the council to develop more formalised relationships with the City of Dalian, Laoning Province, China, which was agreed.

At the same meeting, approval was also given for council to develop and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Boston.

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Dragon Brand Foods in bid to drive export growth with new investment

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Dragon Brand Foods in bid to drive export growth with new investment: Strabane based food manufacturer, Dragon Brand Foods is investing over half a million in jobs, innovation and a new factory with the support of Invest Northern Ireland.

Pictured at the site of the new factory at Strabane Business Park are (L – R) Paul McGuigan, Dragon Brand Foods, and Des Gartland, Invest NI.

Pictured at the site of the new factory at Strabane Business Park are (L – R) Paul McGuigan, Dragon Brand Foods, and Des Gartland, Invest NI.

The company is due to begin construction on its new factory at Strabane Business Park as part of its plans to grow its business. The company is also creating four new roles and is using a Grant for R&D to develop a new range of Free From sauces, dips and condiments for the more health conscious consumer.

Making the announcement, Des Gartland, Invest NI’s North West Regional Manager said:

“Dragon Brand Foods is a highly ambitious and export focused business with innovation at its core. The company is using a range of Invest NI support to drive efficiencies which will enhance its competitiveness in the global marketplace. The company’s decision to build a new factory at Strabane Business Park is a significant commitment and has involved a lot of preparatory work. I am pleased we have been able to help the company through this process and I look forward to seeing their plans come to fruition.”

The company’s investment will see it build 7,500 square feet of manufacturing space at Strabane Business Park. Invest NI developed the park to help address the shortage of available industrial land in the district and play an important role in supporting economic development in the local area. “This investment marks the next step in the company’s journey to achieving faster export growth and reaffirms its continuing commitment to the Strabane area. I hope that this announcement will act as a catalyst for further investment into the Strabane area”, continued Des.

Dragon brand Foods is making a total investment of £550,000. Invest NI has offered the company support of £153,563 towards creating four new roles, researching and developing new products and help building food safety protocols to drive growth in the ROI market.

Commenting on the investment, Paul McGuigan, Director of Dragon Brand Foods said:

“Our strategy is to pursue growth through investing in new products and innovation. Invest NI is providing us with invaluable support which is helping to safeguard our future and accelerate the future growth of our business. Building work for our new factory has already commenced and we look forward to growing our workforce to help us deliver valuable new contracts, particularly in the UK and ROI markets.”

Strabane Business Park offers potential tenants over 15 acres of serviced industrial land to help meet their immediate business growth needs.

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Kainos expands its digital presence In Derry

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Kainos announces the creation of 15 new high-tech roles at its digital hub in Derry – Londonderry.
Kainos Group plc, a leading provider of digital services and platforms, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Derry base with the announcement that 15 high value jobs will be created.

Kainos Team at Derry ~ Londonderry Offices

Kainos Team at Derry ~ Londonderry Offices

With a current workforce of 27 people in Derry, this latest job creation initiative will result in an increase of more than 40% at the company’s Strand Road base.

This time, Kainos is looking to recruit consultants for its WorkSmart division – a role that involves advising global organisations such as Diageo on how to implement the Workday Inc. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Human Capital Management and Financials product. The role requires a unique mix of technical and consulting skills, so will offer a highly rewarding career for the right candidates. The role will also be very well remunerated, with a potential salary of up to £42,000 depending on experience, which benefits not only the individual but also the local economy.

CEO of Kainos Brendan Mooney said: “A Workday consultant performs a role that is different to the traditional software engineer in Kainos, and requires the ability to listen to others and to understand how to make digital systems meet their needs. It’s a really interesting and varied role, with a clearly defined career path. The success of our digital services is built on the strength of the relationship we have with our customers, and that’s what makes this role so important.”

Kainos, which employs 1,000 people in eight offices across Europe and the USA, opened its Derry office in 2012 as part of a £10m investment.

“We’re proud of our achievements in the North West since opening five years ago and plan further growth over the next 12 months. This recruitment drive will support our ambitious European expansion strategy,”

Courtesy of Kainos Plc

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Dairy firm LacPatrick’s British trade up as Brexit looms

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Dairy firm LacPatrick’s British trade up as Brexit looms.

LacPatrick has just invested £30m in new facilities at its plant in Artigarvan, County Londonderry

LacPatrick has just invested £30m in new facilities at its plant in Artigarvan, County Londonderry


A leading Northern Ireland dairy firm has seen its trade with Britain grow by almost a third as companies there reposition for Brexit.

LacPatrick has just invested £30m in new facilities at its plant in Artigarvan, County Tyrone. It said big name food firms based in Britain had begun to source ingredients from it. Businesses involved in the manufacture of chocolate, biscuits and sauces have all been in touch. All are large consumers of dairy powder ingredients.

Previously, they would have imported them from EU countries including the Republic of Ireland.
LacPatrick chief executive Gabriel D’Arcy said a bid to manage risk around tariffs post-Brexit was prompting UK firms to look at sourcing dairy produce from UK manufacturers. LacPatrick has traditionally sent milk powder from its Artigarvan plant to markets in west Africa and the Middle East.

That is currently done under EU trade agreements with those countries. Mr D’Arcy acknowledged there was a risk that his firm could lose access to those markets if the agreements could not be replicated by the UK after Brexit.
But he said he hoped that any transitional arrangements agreed with the EU would include trade deals.
In any event, he said, he was confident that there was a ready market in Great Britain for Northern Ireland dairy products.

“If it comes to it, we have an outlet for every single molecule of the milk we produce and process within the GB and UK markets,” he said. LacPatrick collects 500 million litres of milk in Northern Ireland a year.

The £30m investment in new drying facilities at Artigarvan means it can now process all of that locally without the need to send NI milk to its plants across the border for treatment. That reduces concerns around tariffs and other non tariff barriers post brexit. The company says it is the biggest investment by a dairy company on a single site in a generation.

In coming days they’re inviting the 700 farmers who supply them and some of their international customers to tour the plant, which employs 70 staff. The new equipment will allow it to produce new products such as long life ingredients for vending machines in Japan and a “just add water” powder which is used to make instant liquid milk and is popular in the Middle East.

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12 new jobs being created by Londonderry manufacturer Carella Laminate Systems

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12 new jobs being created by Eglinton manufacturer Carella Laminate Systems.

Invest NI’s North West Regional Manager, Des Gartland (left) is pictured with Seamus Heron, Carella Laminate Systems.

Invest NI’s North West Regional Manager, Des Gartland (left) is pictured with Seamus Heron, Carella Laminate Systems.


Carella Laminate Systems is expanding its workforce in Londonderry to help secure new business in the interior fit-out markets across Great Britain and Republic of Ireland.

With support from Invest Northern Ireland, the manufacturer is recruiting 12 additional staff by 2019 and investing in all areas of the business including sales, production, management and service. The company has also expanded its facilities, recently developing bespoke premises in Campsie Industrial Estate.

Speaking about the plans, Managing Director Seamus Heron said: “We have seen a recent uplift in projects secured across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and want to continue to grow our market share, driving sales of our worktops and contract interior fit-out solutions. The bespoke site we developed at Campsie and our new machinery has enhanced our production capacity and improved the efficiency of our operations.
“The 12 additional staff we are recruiting with help from Invest NI will support the anticipated growth in workload. It will also give us the necessary capability within the team to tender for new higher value projects in our target markets.”

Carella Laminate Systems provides interior fit-out solutions for customers in the health, education and leisure sectors and also manufactures and supplies worktops and bonded boards for the kitchen and bedroom market.

Welcoming the investment, Bill Montgomery, Invest NI Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering said: “Carella has an ambitious strategy to grow sales in Great Britain by 70 per cent over the next three years and is focused on positioning itself to achieve this objective.

“Invest NI’s support has already enabled the company to undertake research visits in its target markets, in a bid to establish new customer relationships. The £90,000 offered towards the 12 new jobs will ensure Carella has the resources its needs to avail of its identified business opportunities. The new roles will be recruited over the next two years and once in place will contribute £407,000 in additional salaries to the local economy.”

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£7million BioDevices Lab opens in Ulster University

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£7million BioDevices Lab opens in Ulster University.

Ulster University

Celebrating the opening of the new Advanced Biomedical Engineering Laboratory in Ulster University are (from left) Professor Brian Meenan, Ulster University; Tracy Meharg, Invest NI; Professor Jim McLaughlin, Ulster University; and Stuart McGregor, Randox Laboratories

The new Advanced Biomedical Engineering Laboratory officially opened today in Ulster University.

The laboratory is a strategic partnership between Invest Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Randox Laboratories and Heartsine Technologies. It will offer expertise and state of the art equipment to assist companies to develop prototypes for the biomedical, engineering, electronic device and aerospace sectors.

Welcoming the new lab, Tracey Meharg, Invest NI’s Executive Director of Business Solutions said: “The new BioDevices Lab is a welcome and exciting development for Northern Ireland’s Health & Life Sciences sector. The facility will open up opportunities for stronger innovation by hosting a suite of equipment which will allow companies to quickly develop prototypes and medical devices for testing.

“It is a great example of how partnerships between government, industry and academia can enhance Northern Ireland as a knowledge economy and boost the credibility and visibility of Northern Ireland as a global leader in connected health.”

The total investment is £7.3m. Invest NI has offered assistance of £3.7m through a Grant for R&D, with Ulster University contributing £2.9m and £716,000 invested through industry collaborations with Randox Laboratories and Heartsine Technologies.

Ulster University’s Professor Jim McLaughlin, overall project lead explains, “Developing technology platforms to help translate our world class science and discovery to a device format as promptly as possible is essential for the very best design and performance.

“In healthcare technology, Ulster University leads the way in the development of new patient monitoring systems, stimulation devices, wearable solutions and diagnostic sensing. The lab will enable our researchers to develop the strong leadership and innovation skills so critical to future industry growth, working in collaboration with our industry partners.”

Dr Peter FitzGerald from Randox Laboratories said: “As one of the UK’s leading life sciences companies, we are delighted to be a partner in this innovative collaboration and to promote Northern Ireland as a global life sciences hub.

“We believe the greatest improvements to patients’ lives are possible through the continuous development of new technologies. This unique laboratory will facilitate that, as it will allow the rapid development of test prototype devices and also assist us to expand our unique range of high-calibre analyser systems.”

Invest NI’s R&D support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.

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Translink launches new Foyle Metro bus service in Derry~Londonderry

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New look Foyle Metro Buses

New look Foyle Metro Buses


Translink launches new Foyle Metro bus service in Derry ~ Londonderry with £3m investment

Translink has launched a new bus service in Londonderry. ‘Foyle Metro’ is a major development for the city’s public transport network. The new-look red bus fleet marks the end of an era for the Ulsterbus blue & white buses in the city. The new fleet of 19 buses represents an investment of more than £3 million. The service will operate from Friday across 14 bus corridors on a simplified route network.

Translink is working with the Department for Infrastructure and Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver road infrastructure improvements in the city.

“The people of told us they wanted a modern and attractive bus service that reflects and supports the city’s prosperity,” said Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway. “We’ve used their feedback to design the ‘Foyle Metro’ experience, its new-look, routes and timetables. “As a major local employer delivering more than 270 jobs in the North West, Foyle Metro will also help secure a successful future for our business here.”

Tony McDaid, who has been a Translink bus driver in Derry for more than 30 years, said he had followed in the footsteps of his father, who worked as a driver, inspector and manager for 45 years. “I have been here since 1987 and the city was a lot smaller in those days. “In the old buses when I was driving they had no heat, no powered steering and hard plastic seats.”

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Derry tech firm, Elemental Software is scaling up its workforce

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Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI, is pictured with (L – R) Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, Elemental Software.

Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI, is pictured with (L – R) Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, Elemental Software.

Derry tech firm, Elemental Software is scaling up its workforce

Elemental Software, the ‘tech for good’ company operating within the health and wellbeing sector, is recruiting 10 additional jobs in Derry/Londonderry with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Elemental’s award winning Social Prescribing platform connects patients, health and social care professionals and community health and wellness providers.

Pilots of the platform garnered positive feedback from health and social care professionals, community providers and patients and resulted in Elemental Software securing its first contracts across the UK and private investment earlier this year. Now the firm’s founders, Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, are expanding the team to help deliver a healthy pipeline of prospective customers and scale the business across the UK and Middle East.
Welcoming the investment during a visit to the company’s premises, Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI’s Director Life Sciences, said: “Elemental Software is a growing innovative digital health company at the forefront of Social Prescribing, an established model of integrated health and social care delivery. Its digital solution has vast growth potential globally and already its unique platform is rapidly being adopted across the UK and in Dubai.”
The platform makes it easier for any health and social care related professional to refer people with health risks to community based lifestyle interventions. Most importantly, it measures the impact of the referral so as to reduce demand in GP time and services and ultimately keep people out of hospital for longer.

“We have worked with this business from its inception. Elemental Software’s rapid progress is testament to the entrepreneurial flair and determination of the firm’s founders. Invest NI is pleased to support its investment in hiring 10 new key members of staff and implementing targeted market development. We believe this will enable Elemental Software to continue to scale and increase its market share,” added Grainne. Elemental Software’s founders have an ongoing relationship with Invest NI, participating in Propel as well as its Collaborative Growth Programme. The company has also benefited from Innovation Vouchers, research and development assistance to develop its digital platform, and trade support to undertake extensive market research. Discussing the company’s expansion plans, Co-Founders of Elemental Software, Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, said: “Social Prescribing addresses one of the most pressing health and social care challenges of our generation and we have developed a solution that can support and empower lifestyle change for communities most at risk and those who play a key role in supporting these communities.

“We need to create a team which includes business and software development positions as well as marketing and communications and finance and administration roles to help take the business to the next level. Recruiting these key hires will give us the capacity to penetrate our target markets and enhance the functionality of the platform.

“Invest NI’s ongoing advice and support has been vital to progress to date. This support towards our planned recruitment and marketing investment will enable us to maintain the momentum being created as the ‘Go To’ platform for referrals into community based programmes and services that improve quality of life, establish a reputation in our target markets and secure new sales.”

Elemental Software is also the lead in a newly established Mental Health and Wellbeing network that will scope out the opportunities for NI companies in relation to developing skills, innovative solutions and services for preventative healthcare in mental health and wellbeing. Invest NI’s R&D support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.

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Lithe IT chooses Londonderry for new sales and marketing team

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Des Gartland (left), Invest NI, is pictured with Brendan McNabb, Lithe IT.

Des Gartland (left), Invest NI, is pictured with Brendan McNabb, Lithe IT.


Lithe IT has set up a sales and marketing function in Londonderry to grow its business across Europe and North America.

Lithe IT provides a wide range of business process services and solutions targeted at improving a business’s effectiveness and efficiency. It specialises in providing process based software solutions aimed at addressing key business challenges across a number of industries. Customers include Transport for London and global businesses such as Canon, and Swiss Post Solutions. Its new Derry based team of four will include a Sales Director, Sales Executive, Marketing Executive, and a Software Engineer.

Welcoming the company to the city, Des Gartland, North West Regional Manager, Invest Northern Ireland said: “Lithe IT is growing its core Professional Services and Software Product businesses to meet the demand of its existing and new customers. The company considered a number of potential locations for its new sales and marketing team but chose Londonderry based on the availability of strong technical and industry specific sales skills. “They have moved very quickly to get the office up and running and have already recruited two people and will be looking to fill the remaining two roles by late autumn. The new roles have salaries in the £25k-£50k range and the company hopes to increase employment further in the future.”

Invest NI has offered Lithe IT £24,000 of support towards the new roles. Brendan McNabb, Chief Business Development Officer said: “This is an exciting time for Lithe IT in our ongoing global growth. We continue to invest in the business in response to the demand for our services and solutions primarily in the North America and EMEA regions.”Brendan McNabb is from the North West region and was a strong advocate for locating the project in Londonderry. “When we were considering where to place these new roles I was keen for Derry to be considered. As a local, I am very aware of the strong skill set here,” added Brendan. “We will be skilling up the team on new technologies and they will be working closely with me to identify new opportunities and provide support to our existing and new customers.”

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