STRABANE-BASED leading sportswear manufacturer O’Neills is one of 15 companies who will be showcasing the North West’s ‘entrepreneurship and innovation’ when they travel to Boston Massachusetts in mid-November as part of a joint collaboration between Councils in Derry/Strabane and Donegal.
The trip is part of the region’s strategy to promote inward investment and provide local businesses access to potential export opportunity.
O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd is a customised sportswear manufacturer who supply playing kit to over 7,000 schools, clubs, universities and professional teams in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia, USA and Australia. Established in 1918, the company currently employs over 700 people within their production facilities and offices across the world.
Speaking ahead of the Boston trade mission, Cristina McCusker, Export Manager at O’Neills said: “We are constantly striving to produce the best playing kit and teamwear using the latest technologies to enhance player performance.
“We also have great pride in our lead times. Having a vertically run company gives us the unique opportunity to specially design garments to meet the short delivery dates dictated by the market.
“By joining the North West delegation to Boston we intend to develop the market for our products in the North East region of the US – with a particular focus on colleges and high schools with sports programmes.
“We also intend to provide additional market support for our newly appointed sales rep for this region.
“Whilst we currently have a number of existing customers in the US – mainly rugby clubs – we are also keen to identify potential customers and business partners in the North East.
“Our long-term goals include expanding our operation there by employing more sales people on the ground as well as opening an office in the region.
“We also hope to specifically grow our business within the rugby and sporting education sectors, attend events and tournaments related to these areas, and increase awareness of the O’Neills brand on the US market.”
