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05 eUrO) Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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News Letter, Tuesday, October 25, 2011 23
Business
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PAGE 26
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PAGE 41
BY RICHARD SHERRIff Business Correspondent
Medical firm unveils 6 million expansion
Wilson praises independent retailers
FINANCE Minister Sammy Wilson has acknowledged the resilience of the independent retail sector and its contribution to the local economy. Delivering the keynote address at Friday nights Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, he said there was a proud tradition of independent, family run retailers that remained an important part of the industry in the province. finance minister Many of these Sammy Wilson businesses have been severely proposals closed affected by this three days ago and, prolonged economic as independent downturn and retailers, the recession has your views and opinions are of dented consumer vital importance, he confidence, he told his audience. said. However, This has been I firmly believe that an opportunity for the resilience of those of you at the our local retailers forefront and who will enable them to have experienced play their part in the harsh financial helping to grow the climate to have your Northern Ireland say. economy as we seek All of the to emerge from the submissions will be global recession. carefully considered The Executive and it is hoped that had made it an announcement a priority to on final i m p l e m e n t decisions will be made by the initiatives to assist end of the year and small business, he that legislation will said, re-iterating enable this change that the rates issue would soon to be implemented be decided in a in time for next bid to create the years rate bills. conditions for a Amid the difficult sustained economic circumstances we recovery and to face I am convinced ensure balance in that there are the rating system. consi The consultation grounds d e r a b l e for on the rating optimism.
ONE of the provinces leading medical development firms is to invest 6 million in expansion of its Comber a major base that will create more than 25 Founded in 1974 by new jobs. Tom Eakin, TG Eakin pharmacist around globally with now trades leading products for its market use in stoma and wound care. Based at Ballystockart, the firm has now obtained permission to extend planning and manufacturing the design facility with a 5,000m2 extension that will accommodate five additional production lines. The project is the for the firm which latest phase has grown steadily through development and acquisition and currently employs more than 60 people. In 2007, TG Eakin Ltd acquired Cardiff based, Pelican Healthcare, a leading UK supplier and manufacturer of specialist stoma and feminine health enabling the company products, to expand their product further range internationally. Last year marked anniversary of Eakin the 30th Tom Eakin, right, of TG Eakin with, from left, managing director Cohesive Strangford MP Jim Seals being introduced Jeremy Eakin, Ards mayor Shannon at the announcement to the Mervyn of a 6m extension at UK market and the the Comber based firm Oswald and firm now now export our products sells more than 15 to over 30 million seals factor in helping us countries worldwide. worldwide every year achieve this representing TG Eakin is a great result in these difficult The extension to our a substantial proportion example times, he of a premises said, will enable us to Northern Ireland company of Northern Irelands exports. increase our exporting and excelling To mark the development, production levels and TG Eakin is both on a develop new products continue to Strangord MP Jim worldwide level and owned and locally based a family Shannon in all efforts company maintain and hopefully order to and Ards Mayor Mervyn should be made to and we are pleased Oswald support its increase visited the that we are our market share continued success. firm to meet staff and able to continue to senior management competitive market. in a very Ballystockart and bringremain at The firms international and view the additional extension proposals. Mr Eakin also praised employment to the success was acknowledged sales area with this the We are pleased planning process which last substantial investment, year when it received to see the was said a Queens tracked by the Department fast- continued success of managing director Jeremy Export Award. this local and manufacturing Eakin. processed within five Our based company This year, Mr Tom months of and welcome firm has seen submission. Eakin was significant development the news of its named Family Business forthcoming expansion The years, with our turnover in recent Director and the of the year and of increasing planning cooperation the consequent creation runner-up in by over 50 per cent since department and local of the overall Director 2009. We representatives in the Co Down area, new jobs of the Year has been a major said Mr category in the UK Shannon. IOD Director of the Year Awards.
Outside the Co Down village of Mayobridge two young children make their way home in the terrible weather conditions
Aid promised to flooding victims
BY Mark raineY
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PiCTUre: Mark Pearce
DaviD Cameron suffered an assault on his authority last night as he was hit by a significant revolt over Europe by furious Tory MPs. The rebel bid to pressure the government into staging an in/out EU referendum was overwhelmingly rejected thanks to opposition from Labour and Lib Dem MPs. But the defeat will provide minimal comfort for the prime minister, who failed to convince many disgruntled Tories that he backed their aims, but the timing was wrong. Turn to page 12
Tory revolt shakes PM
Man dies after attack
a MaN assaulted at a Belfast taxi rank on Sunday morning has died 24 hours after suffering multiple head injuries. Police have launched a murder inquiry after the death of Joe ONeill, 60, from Brooke Park in the west of the city. a 34-year-old man was charged on Sunday night before Mr ONeills death with causing grievous bodily harm and was bailed to appear in court next month. See page 7
EMERGENCY funds to aid Ulster householders affected by flooding could be made available to local councils. Environment minister alex attwood made the pledge yesterday saying his department
would do what it could to cover the councils costs in the event of widespread damage. The minister last night said the situation was being monitored on an hour-to-hour basis and that practical assistance, where needed, would include the collection and disposal of damaged household contents, help to clean up homes
and gardens and the provision of dehumidifiers. among the worst-hit areas in Ulster were parts of Fermanagh and Tyrone, including Tempo, Ballinamallard and Sion Mills. The Glenshane Road between Dungiven and Drumahoe was one of many roads closed last night, and in Dublin the flooding brought
much of the city to a standstill. i have been liaising with council representatives to ensure they are well prepared, around the clock, to cope in the event of the weather situation continuing to escalate and households being hit by flooding, Mr attwood said. See pages 4 and 5