TWO local companies have been recognised for their innovation by business development body InterTradeIreland
The Deluxe Group based in Portadown and Statsports Technology based in Newry have been awarded ‘Project Exemplar’ status by InterTradeIreland, as part of its FUSION programme.
The initiative supports business development and innovation by partnering companies north and south with third level institutions and high calibre graduates in science, engineering or technology for up to 18 months. The graduate works directly with the business to deliver new products or improved processes.
The SMEs were judged to be two of the four best FUSION projects of 2017 in terms of the level of innovation, benefits achieved and overall contribution to the programme. Between them, the ‘Project Exemplar’ companies have reported combined sales, savings and investments of over £500,000 and have projected further sales, savings and investments of almost £18 million over the next three years.
Based in Newry, Co Down, STATSports Technologies Ltd designs, develops and manufactures electronics and software for the elite sports market. Clients include Liverpool FC, The Waikato Chiefs rugby team in New Zealand and The Washington Wizards.
Through the FUSION programme, STATSports partnered with Dr Fergal McCaffery at the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and a skilled graduate, Alan Moynagh, to develop new technology to measure players’ statistics during indoor sporting fixtures and training sessions.
Portadown company, Deluxe Group is a joinery and bespoke interior specialist, whose clients include the Hilton London Metropole and Belfast’s Revolucion de Cuba venue, formerly Café Vaudeville. It specialises in theme park fit-outs and has previously carried out project work for Disneyland, Paris, on the flagship attraction, Ratatouille.
Through the FUSION programme, the Duluxe Group partnered with the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT) and a skilled graduate, to develop digital design, visualisation and production processes for use in building theme park sets. As a result of the project, this expertise was applied on the site of a large contract at the Motiongate theme park in Dubai, taking in Lego, Ghostbusters, Underworld and Hotel Transylvania attractions.
