NEWS
News in Brief Dundonald based engineering company Sepha has won a new contract in the US worth around £400,000 for its market leading technology used in the inspection of blister packs and the recovery of product from faulty packs. The new contract is the company’s largest ever single order to the US and has been sold via its Chicago based distributor, Service Industries.
Belfast-based CEM Systems, part of Tyco Security Products, has announced that it has been awarded the contract to secure Auckland Airport in New Zealand. The industry-renowned CEM AC2000 security management system will be installed to ensure the highest level of security at the airport’s domestic and international terminals. Auckland Airport is served by more than 20 international airlines and handles over 14 million passengers a year.
Carrickfergus-based McCue Fit-Out has revealed details of a £2.5m deal to complete a flagship store for retailer Urban Outfitters. The company was appointed as the general contractor for the fit-out of Urban Outfitters’ 13,500 sq ft two-storey shop on Oxford Street, London. It is the 15th Urban Outfitters store to be completed by McCue Fit-Out since 2007 and the latest in a string of contracts in London and Belfast.
P&O launches new Express service
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&O has unveiled a new look for its Express service, the fast craft that operates between Larne and Troon, after a £500,000 refurbishment. The contract to fit out the ship was completed by local ship outfitters Blu Marine. The redesigned craft now features a modern new Club Lounge with capacity for up to 90 passengers which has been designed with business P&O’s Keith Millar with Martin travellers in mind. Lees, Project Manager, Blu Marine. For £12, passengers can enjoy complimentary newspapers and magazines, refreshments and snacks. There will be sockets for passengers to use laptops, tablets and mobile phones, a waiter service and a newly installed Club Bar. P&O has also introduced a new family lounge and bar, a new coffee shop, a new food court serving hot and cold food and healthy food options, Airline Style ‘at your seat trolley service’ and a new interactive kids area, as well as a priority boarding and unloading service. Keith Millar, Head of Operations for P&O Ferries, Irish Sea told Ulster Business: “We realised that for various reasons we had lost customers in recent years so we’ve surveyed customers and tried to find out what would bring them back. They wanted a club lounge so we’ve done it. They wanted an improved food offer and there’s now a refurbished restaurant with a wider range of food.” The same type of product will also be introduced on P&O’s conventional ferries on the Cairnryan route by the end of May, and a major infrastructure project at the port is due to be completed by the end of the year. The overall investment is around £20m. “All of us here are very pleased to see the major commitment from head office,” said Millar. He is confident the refreshed product will help P&O compete with rival Stena, particularly as customers like the fact that Troon is only a 35 minute drive from central Glasgow. “Anecdotally we’re seeing a wide range of people using the service. There is a facility for business passengers now that they are prepared to pay for.”
Dunmurry ventilation specialist Brookvent has won its first business in China. The £50,000 contract to design, manufacture and supply bespoke window vents to a new high-rise apartment block in Shanghai is being seen as a significant development for the export-focused company. Brookvent also recently announced £500,000 of new business in Poland.
Capita has completed the acquisition of Northgate Managed Services Limited (NMS) from Northgate Information Solutions. The business, now branded Capita Managed IT Solutions, will be part of Capita IT Services. Capita Managed IT Solutions, based in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, has approximately 1,000 employees across the UK.
12 APRIL 2013
SHED HEAVEN: Keith Kyle, Managing Director of Draperstown company Yardmaster, is all smiles after announcing the business has won a £5m contract to supply flat packed steel garden sheds to DIY giant Home Retail Group, which owns Argos and Homebase. Yardmaster, which employs 70 people, has seen sales increase by a third in the last three years by exporting to GB, France, Belgium and Germany and is now targeting new markets in Eastern Europe.