Frank Quinn, Tradelinks Mentor, presents ISO 9001 and ISO 18001 certificates to John McLaughlin of T McLaughlin & Sons, whilst Martin Devlin, Chief Executive of Roe Valley Enterprises presents ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates to Cornelius Ward of the Kevin Watson Group.
Two local companies, namely the Kevin Watson Group and T McLaughlin & Sons have recently been successful in gaining accreditation for implementing quality systems with the help of Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd through the Tradelinks Programme.
Speaking at a recent photo call Cornelius Ward from the Kevin Watson Group, a Property Development and Building Contracting Company, established in 1987 with its head office in Eglinton Co. Derry said “Our company spreads its activities across various construction sectors and over the years has successfully delivered high end quality developments within private and social housing, commercial, industrial and office accommodation. As a dynamic company we have seen the advantages of registering with the Tradelinks Programme through the achievement of ISO 9001 Quality & ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and we would like to give special thanks to Martin Devlin and Frank Quinn for their guidance, support and direction which helped our company achieve the accreditations”.
John McLaughlin, Director of T McLaughlin & Sons Ltd., a family business established in 1965 with extensive experience of civil engineering, demolition, haulage and plant hire, said that “The company has always placed prime importance on Health & Safety”. Thanking the Tradelinks Programme for supporting and providing mentoring, he said that “Successful accreditation to the International H&S Standard, OHSAS18001, would further reinforce the H&S ethos throughout the company and on a practical level would assist in attaining new contracts, both in Northern and Southern Ireland”.
Frank Quinn, Tradelinks Mentor, stated that both companies recognize the guidance and support provided by the Tradelinks Programme as businesses are finding it increasingly necessary to provide evidence of Third Party Certification of their Quality, Environmental and Health and Safety Management Systems to even enable them to reach the Tender Stage when seeking both private and public sector contracts.
Martin Devlin of Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd outlined that Tradelinks is a cross border business development programme, that aims to assist and grow the important micro enterprise sector across Northern Ireland and in the border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal.
The programme has received £3m worth of funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme to help support the micro enterprise sector. Tradelinks is a partnership initiative delivered by Enterprise NI, the network of local Enterprise Agencies and the Border County Enterprise Boards. It is also supported by both governments, through the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.
The overarching aim of Tradelinks programme is to assist 550 micro businesses on both sides of the border to identify and address barriers to cross border trade and development. Using a portfolio of business development and support tools, experienced business advisers will work hand-in-hand with business owners to assist them to become more sustainable and competitive with a view to developing cross border trade opportunities and linkages as well as helping to generate greater added value, earnings and wealth within their local communities.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Tradelinks Programme should contact Martin Devlin of Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd on 028 7776 2323 or e-mail martin.devlin@roevalleyenterprises.co.uk
« Accessing Business Grants To Develop Your Cross Border Business Tradelinks »
