Carrick firm scoops £5k prize at Dragon’s Den-style event

A Carrickfergus-based business has been congratulated after being named as the regional winner of an innovative export programme.
Congratulating Michael Crymble (2nd left) from Geoff Castles Boiler Services on being named the Carrickfergus regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are Trevor Robinson, Invest NI; Councillor Jim McClurg, Carrickfergus Borough Council, and Garrett Harty, Full Circle Management Solutions.  Michael wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities.  Picture by Darren Kidd / Press EyeCongratulating Michael Crymble (2nd left) from Geoff Castles Boiler Services on being named the Carrickfergus regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are Trevor Robinson, Invest NI; Councillor Jim McClurg, Carrickfergus Borough Council, and Garrett Harty, Full Circle Management Solutions.  Michael wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities.  Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye
Congratulating Michael Crymble (2nd left) from Geoff Castles Boiler Services on being named the Carrickfergus regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are Trevor Robinson, Invest NI; Councillor Jim McClurg, Carrickfergus Borough Council, and Garrett Harty, Full Circle Management Solutions. Michael wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities. Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye

Geoff Castles Boiler Services was one of 30 companies from the Carrick, Ballymena and Larne areas who took part in the Grow Global Programme.

Businesses in each region were competing to win £5,000 to help them achieve their export plans.

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The local company, which provides approved training in boiler operation, were asked to develop and pitch their export plans in a Dragons’ Den scenario.

The programme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and European Regional Development Fund. It was offered free to companies by the North East Economic Development Forum – comprising the councils of Larne, Ballymena and Carrickfergus.

Michael Crymble, technical sales manager at Geoff Castles Boiler Services said: “We are delighted to be named regional winners of the Grow Global Programme. We have developed a bespoke training programme which has been endorsed and recognised as the industry standard. Following our success at offering the training programme within Northern Ireland we are now looking to expand into the Republic of Ireland market.

“In the longer term we want to build a new training facility at our Carrickfergus premises and look forward to the employment potential this will create in the local area.”

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Taking advantage of international business opportunities will ensure that Northern Ireland businesses enjoy rapid and sustainable growth, said Invest NI’s eastern regional manager Moira Loughran. “[We] are committed to helping local businesses achieve their full potential in markets beyond Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to support them as they explore new opportunities,” she added.

Congratulating the local firm was Gail Kelly from Carrickfergus Borough Council. “Geoff Castles Boiler Services are following in the footsteps of many of our most successful companies who have identified opportunities in markets beyond Northern Ireland,” she said. “ I wish them every success as they embark on this stage of their exporting journey.”