Larne company Resto Coatings growing global

Congratulating Andre Van Es (second right) from Resto Coatings on being named the regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are (l-r) Moira Loughran, Invest NI; Ken Nelson, LEDCOM; Councillor Maureen Morrow, former Mayor of Larne and Barbara Orr, Full Circle Management Solutions. Andre wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities. INLT 24-686-CON

The Grow Global Programme saw a total of 30 local companies from the Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne areas developing and pitching their export plans in a Dragons’ Den scenario.

Businesses in each region were competing to win £5,000 to help them achieve their export plans.

The Grow Global Programme was offered free to companies by the North East Economic Development Forum – comprising the Councils of Larne, Ballymena and Carrickfergus.

Resto Coatings manufacture and distribute paints and associated accessories and 10 per cent of their sales are currently from export markets.

Andre Van Es from Resto Coatings said: “We were delighted to be named the regional winners of the Grow Global Programme.

“As a result of the programme we have identified and will be focussing our exporting efforts on the Republic of Ireland.

“We are dedicated to expanding our business and our vision is to increase our exporting efforts to enable us to secure additional employees.”

Moira Loughran from Invest NI said: “We are committed to helping local businesses achieve their full potential in markets beyond Northern Ireland and we are delighted to support them as they explore new opportunities.”

Mayor of Larne, Councillor Martin Wilson added: “Resto Coatings are following in the footsteps of many of our most successful companies who have identified opportunities in markets beyond NI. I wish them every success as they embark on this stage of their exporting journey.”

All participating companies were mentored and prepared for the Dragons’ Den event by Full Circle Management Solutions.

Barbara Orr from Full Circle said: “We worked on a one-to-one basis with all the companies and held interactive workshops to help them prepare for the event. We will continue to work with each of the regional winners as they prepare to visit their chosen market as well as running three additional export skills development workshops for all participating companies.”

BigWetFish Hosting, a web hosting company, were announced the regional winners for Carrickfergus and Quad X who design and manufacture a range of all-terrain machinery for quad bikes and utility vehicles, won the Ballymena regional event.

Wave 2 of the programme will run from October 2014 – June 2015 and recruitment of a further 30 companies opens on August 1. For further information contact Conor Boylan on 028 9069 1027 or email [email protected]

The programme is part financed by Invest NI and European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.