Ballyclare Special Products win Exporter of the Year award

Following a successful year, Ballyclare Special Products (BSP) has won the Institute of Export’s Northern Ireland Exporter of the Year 2001 award.

The company, which produces and supplies personal protective equipment and clothing for the emergency services and utilities markets, has defied the manufacturing downturn reporting a successful year for overseas sales.

To win the award companies must show that they have made considerable progress in the export market during the year with the Institute of Export judges also looking at a three-year trend. Firms must also be based in Northern Ireland and supplement the local economy.

A £1.8m contract win to supply the Malaysian fire brigade with 8,000 bespoke fire suits and a £55,000 order to supply India’s railway authority with fire protective kit helped BSP pick up the award.

BSP’s turnover this year is around £10m with exports accounting for around 35 percent of sales. This compares to 2000 where exports were 15 percent of business and 1999 when only 10 percent of sales went overseas.

Richard Russell, managing director of BSP was delighted with the award, he said: “It is extremely pleasing to win the award as the clothing and textile industries have been hit hard by the slump in manufacturing during the last year. Our success over the period is testament to the hard work everyone at Ballyclare has put in this year, we are very proud of all our staff.

“The efforts BSP have made during the last six years are tremendous to think that it exports prior to 1995 were nil. We hope that by winning this award it will give us a added incentive to do even better next year.”

Members of the institute’s Award Committee chose BSP over two other shortlisted contenders to win the award following three visits to the Ballyclare factory.

Derek Boucher, chairman of the awards committee said: “We are continually looking for businesses that are performing well overseas. Committee members meet once a month to monitor and discuss the progress companies have made in their exports.

“This year Ballyclare Special Products has done extremely well in what is a very unpredictable economic climate. It has shown remarkable versatility and real desire to compete and win in what is a very difficult export market.”

BSP will receive the prestigious Harold Aves Trophy, named after the founder of the awards. (MB)