Galway Businesses Join Forces in Cross-Border Trade Mission

Five innovative companies from Galway participated in a two-day Cross-Border Trade Mission to Northern Ireland, organized by InterTradeIreland. Running from November 25 to 27, 2023, this initiative aimed to accelerate export opportunities and enhance sales growth in the cross-border market.

The Galway-based businesses—BeoBio, Heptagon Houses, IOT DigitalData, Megafab, and Red Belt—were among 20 companies from across Ireland participating in the event. These businesses engaged in pre-arranged sales meetings and networking sessions with potential buyers and partners in Northern Ireland, supported by InterTradeIreland’s team of trade experts.

Red Belt, a family-run company that manufactures and repairs conveyors and agricultural belts, has established a presence in Northern Ireland for years, primarily serving the quarry and industrial sectors. Declan Hamilton, Managing Director of Red Belt, emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, “We want to build on that and bring our agri belts and services to farmers and agri-machinery businesses across the whole island.”

Another participant, Megafab, specializes in designing durable plastic products to simplify farm work. Michael Egan, Managing Director, noted, “The Trade Mission gave us exposure to new markets and customers. It helped us get an understanding of problems farmers have in Northern Ireland, which may lead to a new product idea.”

Additionally, Heptagon Houses focuses on producing sustainable timber-framed greenhouses and outdoor structures, while BeoBio Teoranta combines the expertise of seaweed farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to develop agricultural products from hand-harvested seaweed. IOT DigitalData provides smart monitoring and software solutions that help farmers and food producers improve efficiency through real-time data.

Supporting Cross-Border Trade and Innovation

According to Anne-Marie McAteer, Trade Manager at InterTradeIreland, the Agri-Tech and Manufacturing sectors play a crucial role in the all-island economy. She stated, “Our ‘Trade Missions @Home’ initiative is designed to give businesses the platform, contacts, and confidence to take their next steps into new markets. Cross-border trade and collaboration continues to be one of the most effective ways to scale and sustain growth.”

InterTradeIreland’s initiative supports businesses in building cross-border connections, accessing specialist mentoring, and creating new sales opportunities. The participation of Galway’s businesses highlights the innovation, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit driving the region’s Agri-Tech and Manufacturing sectors.

This Trade Mission represents InterTradeIreland’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth through cross-border trade, innovation, and collaboration. To date, the organization has supported over 60,000 businesses and contributed to more than €1.95 billion in business development value across the island.