NI firms claim Queen’s Awards for Enterprise

Four companies from Northern Ireland have been named in the International Trade section of the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

The companies – Energia, Northbrook Technology, Powershield Steel Doors, and Rotary (International) – gained the UK’s top business award for outstanding achievements in markets outside Northern Ireland over the past three years. All four companies are first time winners of the Enterprise award.

Commenting on their success, Invest NI chief executive Leslie Morrison said: “The four companies are excellent role models of the enterprise and internationalisation that underpins our corporate strategy.

“These and other successful exporters are creating new wealth for the local economy by competing aggressively and successfully for business in the global marketplace.

Rotary (International) employs around 300 in mechanical and electrical engineering services and increased its exports five fold over the past three years.

Over the past three years, Powershield Steel Doors, which employs 80 people at its Lisburn manufacturing operation, has developed new export markets for its products in Oman, Singapore, Hong Kong and Nigeria.

Northbrook Technology, now Northern Ireland’s biggest software company with almost 1,400 employees in Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane, exports all its output to its parent company in the US.

Energia gained the award in recognition of its position as the leading independent energy supplier in the Republic of Ireland. The company is also investing in a second Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power plant at its Huntstown site near Dublin.

(MB/GB)