Irish IT firms could provide major North West opportunities

A Trade Mission of innovative Irish software and services companies is coming to the North West in early October in a wave of activity that could see many of the companies setting up new offices and employing people locally.

If the trade event is a success, it is expected to stimulate investment in the region and provide opportunities for established local businesses to access new products and services that help to improve the quality and efficiency of operations; improve customer satisfaction; reduce overheads; and improve data security.

The 24 companies taking part in the Enterprise Ireland North West Trade Mission provide services ranging from the outsourcing of I.T. to illicit image checking on company networks, and a diverse range of business software solutions in between. Enterprise Ireland is the trade and export organisation of the Irish government, and works with companies to help grow their exports around the world.

The North West Trade Mission will take place between Monday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 9, with “speed business networking” events in Manchester and Liverpool, enabling local companies to have short one-to-one meetings with representatives of the Irish firms.

The Manchester event will take place at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly hotel, Portland Street, from 9.30am on Monday, October 7, while the Liverpool event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Old Hall Street, from9.30am on Wednesday, October 9.

Leading the initiative is Enterprise Ireland’s Gavin McWhirter, who said: “This Trade Mission provides a unique opportunity for companies in the North West to forge new working relationships that could provide them with real business advantages.

“I would urge companies in the North West to check out the profiles of the innovative software and services firms that are taking part in the Trade Mission and to sign up for one of the networking events taking place in Manchester and Liverpool. You can do this via www.eenw.org/ireland

“I am certain that relationships can be forged that might help local companies reduce costs; improve the quality and efficiency of operations; improve customer satisfaction; or enhance the security of data and networks.

“It is our experience that companies securing new contracts in a region of the UK often go on to open an office in the local area, and then employ local sales, support and marketing people to help the business grow.”

The Manchester and Liverpool speed business networking events are being organised by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) North West UK. Enterprise Ireland is the host organisation for the EEN Enterprise Europe Network in Ireland and can therefore connect with and use the services provided by the EEN in the UK.

Rodolphe Soulard, EEN’s senior European business adviser, said: “This trade mission provides a fantastic opportunity for North West companies to identify new opportunities to collaborate on innovative new software services and products.

“North West companies will also be given the opportunity to benefit from new products and efficiency savings which will enable them to be more competitive on a regional, national and international basis.”

The trade mission will include evening receptions in Manchester and Liverpool which are being sponsored by Allied Irish Bank (GB).

Allied Irish Bank (GB) regional director North West, Dominick O’Grady said: “This event provides a platform for local organisations to discover opportunities with ambitious, innovative Irish software and services companies while forging new mutually beneficial relationships in the same way that Allied Irish Bank (GB) prides itself in building long lasting, successful relationships with owner managed businesses operating in the North West of England. “

The Irish companies visiting the North West include Celtrak, which can help businesses to track deliveries in real time around the world - ensuring perishable goods arrive on time - and Cut-e, a company which combines psychometrics, online tests and questionnaires with innovative technology in order to assess, select, recruit and develop people in businesses across the world.

Other companies sending representatives to the region include Auxilion, a supplier of IT support and outsourcing; and PixAlert, which protects corporate reputations and brand integrity by using data discovery software to find and manage data and illicit images that should not be on a company’s network.

Companies interested in attending speed networking meetings should visitwww.eenw.org/ireland for more details of the Irish companies taking part in the Trade Mission and to register. They can also contact Enterprise Ireland on 0207 438 8709.

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