The strategic development of Lisburn City’s company base was again at the fore of the Council’s Business Development Project Team’s activity in 2001. Key initiatives were implemented to enhance linkages and create new partnerships with the local business sector. Business owners were motivated to adopt new techniques and new systems to innovate, and to develop their products and services to the highest standard, generating a new dynamic in the local business offering.
Lisburn’s two enterprise agencies, Glenwood Business Centre and Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd continue to play a pivotal role in the delivery of business development initiatives on behalf of the Council.
10 non-competing local craft businesses are currently participating in a Craft Development Programme to enhance the capacity of the local craft sector and to increase competitiveness and export potential in international markets. Delivered by Glenwood Business Centre, the programme has already enabled the companies to form a dynamic network of craft producers with its own unique brand image ‘Island-Design’, website (www.island-design.com) and promotional literature.
Glenwood Business Centre’s Capital Expansion Programme, completed this year, saw the refurbishment of 3000sq ft of existing units for micro food businesses. The units are now fully occupied by 2 new food manufacturing companies, Creative Cook and Orchard Confectionery, creating 4 new jobs.
Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd delivered an employment initiative funded by the Council. Go for Growth, assisted 22 local companies to recruit new members of staff, many for the first time, thus supporting 16 new jobs.
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Pat McCann from Tractormatic who participated on the international Company Development Programme to the US pictured at his premises with Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Councillor Peter O'Hagan. |
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Lesley Quinn from Lesley Quinn Fashions pictured with, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Councillor Peter O'Hagan and Business Start Programme Business Advisors, Jenny Williamson (Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd.) Louise Heaney (Glenwood Business Centre) and Olivia Fitzpatrick, Business Advisor at Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd |
The Advance Technology Programme, again delivered by Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd, assisted 10 local companies to identify new ICT systems to improve their overall business efficiency and performance. Under this programme £15,500 of new, investment in enhanced business systems will be made by the participants within the next six months.
Research undertaken by Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd and the Irish Linen Guild into the Linen micro business sector in Lisburn on behalf of the Council, enabled local company Lesley Quinn Designs, to locate to a serviced business unit at the Island Arts Centre at Lagan Valley Island.
The Northern Ireland Business Start Programme (NIBSP) is jointly managed and delivered in Lisburn by both local enterprise agencies. Under this programme, 56 new businesses have received business advice, training and one to one mentoring as well as £47,500 of financial assistance from September 2001 to March 2002. This has contributed to the creation of 74 new jobs and projected 1st year sales of £2.4 million.
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Sam Redmond from the "Big Picture" who participated on Go for Growth, pictured with Hazel King Assistant Economic Development Officer, Lisburn Council. |
Make It Happen, a local enterprise awareness programme, has given would be entrepreneurs an insight into self employment. Outreach clinics and roadshows have boosted the number of people coming forward to register for the Northern Ireland Business Start Programme (NIBSP). Managed by the two Local Enterprise Agencies, activity under this programme has resulted in 38 direct referrals to the NIBSP, 13 new business start ups and high expectations of increased enterprise activity as the programme further develops throughout Lisburn.
The Council continues to develop a strong international portfolio of trade development programmes and is keen to build on the success of last years International Trade Development Programme which has realised £255,000 of new revenue this year for companies such as International Net & Twine Ltd and Tractormatic. The Council’s International Trade Development Programme in 2002 sees 5 local companies committed to developing international trade linkages and increasing their export potential. Managed by International Business Initiatives Ltd the companies which include Mourne Fireplaces, Texam Industries, Keeble (NI) Ltd, Fire and Flooring Systems, and Boomer Industries are currently pursuing new joint venture opportunities in the US and European Markets, with projected sales of £350,000 over the next three years.
A successful Civic trade visit to Canada in February 2002 has meant that the Council is working to foster trade linkages with two Canadian municipalities, Brantford and Prince Edward Island and anticipate a reciprocal visit to Lisburn in Autumn 2002.
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Sharon Machala from Creative Cook shows Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Councillor Peter O'Hagan and Eamon Foster, Chief Executive of Glenwood Business Centre around her premier sauce manufacturing business located in a specialist micro food unit at Glenwood Business Centre. |
The Centre of Competitiveness Gala Awards Evening held in January 2002, saw five Lisburn companies receive the prestigious ‘European Foundation for Quality Management Commitment to Excellence’ award from the European Foundation for Quality Management.
The Council’s two online business aids, the Trade Directory and the Commercial Land and Property Register continue to provide a quality free information service to businesses and investors.
Hillsborough New Horizons Ltd, a community business supplying a wide range of organic vegetables and fruit, has continued to ‘grow’ over the past year. This unique social enterprise, named ‘The Secret Garden’, employs 3 full-time staff and aims to be self sustaining in the short to medium term.
Colin Glen Trust has employed one further member of staff under Phase 2 of the 2 year Colin Valley 2001 project. To date the project has extensively upgraded the golfing facilities at the Colin Glen complex creating a total of 20 new jobs.
