AE Global managing director Kieran Connor
MAYDOWN based AE Global were one of the 15 companies from both sides of the border who showcased the North West’s entrepreneurship and innovation when they travelled to Boston Massachusetts last week as part of the joint Council collaboration.
Winner of the prestigious ‘Business of the Year’ award at the inaugural North West Business Awards 2016, AE Global operate in the mechanical and electrical contracting and construction business and specialise in the fabrication of bespoke piping systems at their manufacturing plant in Derry.
The company caters to clients on an international scale (including the likes of GlaxoSmithKline, BP, DuPont and Seagate), and covers a variety of specialist industrial sectors including: Petrochemical, Oil and Gas, Water, Power and Pharmaceutical.
As a manufacturer of high-end pipe engineering products, the firm also provide everything from design to procurement, installation and commission to electrical and instrumentation.
Managing Director Kieran Connor says that AE Global – which currently employs 140 people – were impressed with the ‘commitment, strength and collaboration’ of the teams from both Councils to promote inward investment and provide local businesses access to potential export opportunity.
“Ironically AE global mirror the delegation’s cross border model in that, of the two owners of our company, one lives in Donegal and the other lives in Derry,” he noted.
“While we do not know what the final outcome of Brexit will be on us as a company we are sure of one thing, a strong, open and honest relationship does work and has done for the best part of 25 years.
“What I personally witnessed in Boston with the two Council Chief Executives and their respective teams is that the framework is there for businesses from both sides of the border to build strong relationships in the US.
“As with Brexit the final outcome may as yet be unknown, but with the commitment, strength and collaboration I witnessed by both teams, our elected representatives and the strong friendships forged in Boston, businesses have a bridge that spans countries and gives both parties if aligned a great chance to succeed.”
A first ever North West Trade delegation trip to Philadelphia next summer is one of a number of positive outcomes from the trade and investment mission.
The delegation was led by Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh and Leas Cathoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Noel Jordan, included representatives from 15 local companies, Údaras Na Gaeltachta and senior council officers.
Representatives from Ulster University, North West Regional College and Letterkenny IT also made the trip as the region presented a united front to showcase its offering for inward investment and potential export opportunity.
A key element of the trip was providing local companies with an opportunity to tie into the US market.
The delegation returned to Ireland at the weekend and work has already begun on building on the strong connections made during their week in the US
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