1 June 2000
FG WILSON NAMED NORTHERN IRELAND'S TOP EXPORTER
FG Wilson (Engineering), the Larne-based manufacturer of diesel generating sets, received the Northern Ireland Exporter of the Year Award from Mr John Battle MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Co-Chairman of British Trade International, at a gala ceremony in Belfast tonight.
Mr Battle presented Northern Ireland's top export award to the company, which has plants at Larne, Monkstown and West Belfast, in recognition of a significant growth in exports to customers in the US, China and Nigeria.
The competition is organised and sponsored by Trade International, IDB's export arm, with co-sponsorship from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and British Airways.
Welcoming the award, Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who also spoke at the event, said: "FG Wilson (Engineering), now firmly established as the world's biggest volume manufacturer of portable and emergency power generating sets, pushed its export sales to £274 million over the past three years.
"The close relationship between export growth and employment is evidenced by the creation of over 1,000 new jobs since 1997. Today FG Wilson, now part of Caterpillar Inc, employs some 2,500 people and is among Northern Ireland's biggest private sector employers."
Mr Battle took the opportunity to outline to the audience of around 150 leading business people aspects of the service to exporters provided by British Trade International, including the recently launched Trade Partners UK and the new electronic 'Gateway'.
He said: "Trade Partners UK will now bring clarity, coherence and recognition to the services we offer exporters.
"I look forward to working with Sir Reg and Trade International Northern Ireland in giving full co-ordinated back-up to Northern Ireland exporters through our new Government organisation, British Trade International, and its Knowledge Network. This Knowledge Network already includes over 100 Chambers of Commerce, 100 export clubs, 200 embassy and posts in overseas markets. Using the internet, www.tradepartners.gov.uk, the detailed back-up will be just one touch away."
Sir Reg, who also presented the E-Business Exporter of the Year Award to BlackStar, the Belfast video and dvd business, said: "Tonight's award winners are at the forefront in driving the Northern Ireland economy forward and have contributed to a thoroughly impressive 8.5 per cent growth in exports in 1998/1999.
"The latest 'Survey of Sales and Exports: Made in Northern Ireland: Sold to the World' indicated that many local companies are becoming increasingly ambitious and competitive in global markets.
"This strong export performance was driven largely by sales to markets outside the European Union. It underscores the message that local companies are well and truly prepared to target the global marketplace in a race that never ends.
"For three successive months, interest rates have been on hold. This is good news for the exporter and places Northern Ireland in a very competitive position when selling goods to dollar dominated markets. Indeed, there is strong evidence that local exporters have benefited from this trading over the past 6-8 weeks.
"This performance shows just what Northern Ireland companies are capable of and what they have achieved against a backdrop of political uncertainty and difficult trading conditions.
"This week's political developments and the tremendous economic news has given Northern Ireland a huge boost and something on which to build.
"I have said many times - the single most important factor in building a successful Northern Ireland economy is political stability. That is what all of us here yearn for and I will be doing all I can to make sure that the best possible conditions are created to put the Northern Ireland economy on the strongest possible footing."
David Evans, British Airways' General Manager for UK Regions said: "Tonight is an occasion to celebrate the success of local enterprise both large and small in selling to the world.
"I applaud all of the winners for their creativity and dynamic approach to successfully opening up new markets and hope they will encourage others to take their lead and think globally by exploring new opportunities in international markets."
More than 150 local business leaders and company representatives attended the awards dinner, hosted by IDB Chairman Dr Alan Gillespie, in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
The awards cover five categories. In addition, the judges decided to commend a similar number of companies for export achievement.
NORTHERN IRELAND EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Northern Ireland Exporter of the Year: Presented by Mr John Battle MP
WINNER:
FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd, Larne
Commended:
B/E Aerospace, Kilkeel, and
CCC Technology Ltd, Belfast
Northern Ireland E-Business Exporter of the Year: - Presented by Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
WINNER:
BlackStar Ltd, Belfast
Northern Ireland Tradeable Services Exporter of the Year: Presented by Mr David Evans, British Airways
WINNER:
Grafton Recruitment Services Ltd, Belfast
Commended:
CEM Systems Ltd, Belfast
Northern Ireland First Time Exporter of the Year: Presented by Mr Tommy Rodgers, President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
WINNER:
Schrader Electronics Ltd, Antrim
Commended:
Humax Electronics, Newtownards
Northern Ireland Small Business Exporter of the Year: Presented by Mr Chris Buckland, Chief Executive, LEDU
WINNER:
TG Eakin Ltd, Comber
Commended:
Andor Technology Ltd, Belfast