Missions
Programme Feedback
January 2009
Poland
"NICC/Handel Export Consulting provided a professional, informative and friendly service throughout the programme offering advice and support to all participants."
Alan Meeke, Commercial Manager, Blackbourne Electrical
"Invest NI you need for finance, NICC to manage the rest, Handel Export for experience, overall this team is the best."
Aidan McGuigan Director, Janus Contracts
"We found the NICC/Handel Export trade programme to Poland to be highly beneficial to our prospects for exporting to Poland. All aspects of the trip were efficiently and professionally undertaken in a friendly and helpful way."
Mark Hughes, Managing Director, McNicholl Hughes
"This was a well organised trip, with good use of time in terms of a number of beneficial meetings. Outside of the pure business opportunity the networking among other participants was very worthwhile."
Neil Patton, Managing Director, Patton Group
"As a result of the work by NICC and Handel Export, we availed of an excellent opportunity to investigate new markets which, if attempting to make the necessary arrangements on our own, we would not have found as accessible."
Johnston Bell, Director, Teague and Sally Architects
2008
Poland
"Handel Export reviewed the market and arranged meetings with a number of potential organistaions with which we could form an alliance. Without this advice and research, market entry would have been exceedingly difficult."
Liam O'Hagan, Managing Director, Delap and Waller
"The Northern Ireland Chamber and Handel Export were very professional in their approach to Poland. We will surely see results from this trip. Well done and thank you."
Conor McKernan, Business Development Manager, Douglas Wallace
"The programme was professionally planned by all parties. Meetings were informative and created opportunities and the language and travelling barriers were easily overcome. Generally we had a very successful time."
Eamon O'Hare, Managing Director, O'Hare & McGovern
"I would definitely recommend the programme. It is an excellent value for money way to reach new markets. Companies need to be sure what they want from the trip and ensure the consultant fully understands this."
Gill Craig, Development Director, T&A Kernoghan
"The trip was a good learning experience in terms of business acumen. However, in terms of the initial objectives we were disappointed. We would be generally positive about the GetworkEU programme for initiating business contacts and meetings."
Christina Walsh, Director, Trendy Wendy Workwear
"GetworkEU was extremely useful in assisting us to increase our presence in the Polish market. Ward Design had recently opened an office in the country and with the meetings and events arranged for us in advance and specific to our requirements, as part of the programme we were able to get in front of important decision makers.
Doing business in a new country can be scary. An introduction within a supportive group of veterans and like-minded explorers makes the experience much better. The in-market support from both the Northern Ireland Chamber and Handel Export Consulting proved invaluable. I would recommend the GetworkEU programme to any company seeking to develop their export activity in the European market-place."
Liam Ward, Managing Director, Ward Design
2007
Poland
"GetworkEU was a good international trade programme. In four short days I got to meet a lot of people. To achieve the same alone would take months."
Steve Brankin, Asidua Ltd
"Poland is a new market for us and we found the trade programme extremely useful. It provided us with an excellent opportunity to gain market information, allowing us to develop and sustain the direct air services between Northern Ireland and Poland. The programme was well organised and meetings were with the correct decision makers. The possibilities for follow up activity are excellent."
Deborah Matchett, Belfast International Airport
"Well planned and organised. Everything went smoothly. I could have done with an extra day."
Thomas McDonald, Engineering Plastics Ltd
"The GetworkEU programme was very beneficial, from the companies we were matched with we will establish a distributor in Poland."
Amanda Armstrong, McQuaid Engineering Ltd
"The GetworkEU programme was extremely well organised and carried out. The meetings and contacts were all relevant and our objectives were truly understood and met."
Joanne Lennon, Miller Hospitality
"A successful trip to Poland was enhanced by the excellent service provided by NICCI, Handel Export Consulting and Invest NI."
Brian McGrath, Renewable Energy Technologies Ltd
"We learned a lot about the market. It was a worthwhile visit."
Kevin Taylor, Wellington Computer Systems Ltd
2007 Poland Participant Profiles
Toulouse / Bordeaux
“We were pleased of the level of co-ordination for the meetings on our behalf, and the quality of business contacts. The briefing session was informative and helpful for new entrants to the Toulouse/south west of France market. I know the access we gained to further market information will help shape our future business activity in Toulouse with new partners in the tourism and business markets”. Ruth-Anne Morgan, BIA Aviation Marketing
"The companies I met with were well targeted and had real requirements". Sean Phelan, Maydown Precision Engineeing
“ I would recommend this type of mission organised by NICCI/NITC to any company in NI looking to develop business relationships and find business opportunities in Europe. The quality of market research and meetings arranged met our expectations”. Thana Thammavongsa, BKS Surveys Ltd
“The meetings organised were with the highest calibre in their organisations. We as a company could not have asked for better”. Jim Knowles, Denroy Plastics
"The mission was well organised and I believe that if channelled even more very specifically in the future will do a great deal for targeting new territories in the focussed sectors. That is not to say that this was not. For Webtech we wanted to be sure about this new potential market and we got a good view." Wayne Hallett, Webtech
"For the 2nd time NITC have identified potential distribution partners in the countries we have visited, we will use them again." Irwin Armstrong
2007 Toulouse/Bordeaux Participant Profiles
2006
Poland / Estonia
All 14 companies who participated in the 2006 mission said they would recommend a NICCI trade mission to a business associate.
"With the help of NICCI / Handel Export we believe that we have managed to make some excellent contacts to help build business relationships in both Poland and Estonia, which we hope will develop future business in the coming months. I would have no hesitation in recommending NICCI / Handel Export to business associates for future Trade Missions" Michael O'Kane, Abacus Professional Recruitment
"Trade Missions are an essential source of help for small companies to explore and develop opportunities in a new market, thank you." Jarlath McCamphill, Abbey Training Services
“I found the event was well organised and went to plan and my days were fully booked seeing potential customers.” Joe Bradley, AJ Power
“The marketing information provided by Handel was excellent. This was backed up by comprehensive useful general information regarding the cultural business environment." John Gilbert, Applied Silicate Technologies
“Worthwhile venture into Eastern Europe. Good potential for business / partnership. Well organised and executed by NICCI and Handel Export. Thank you." Timothy Fergusson, Chemical Treatment Services
“Without the research assistance and contact provided by NICCI / Handel Export it would have been very difficult to make useful contacts in Poland”. Michael McCaul, JMG Systems Ltd
“NICCI / Handel Export provided a level of market research and logistics support that would have been extremely difficult to develop without their local specific knowledge and experience." William Hamilton, Liberty IT
"For professional exploration of new markets the event offered companies a valuable service in researching markets and organising potential new customer meetings." Brian Maxwell, Munster Simms Engineering Ltd
“The trade mission was well organised and very useful in giving an insight into a rapidly developing country. All aspects of the trip had been well organised. Thanks to all involved!" Colin Bell, Norman A Erwin & Co.
"Preparations were excellent. It was teed up for us we just had to go out and grab the opportunities." Ger Connery, Sentel Independent Limited
2006 Poland/Estonia Participant Profiles
2005
Poland / Estonia
"Handel Export has excellent relationships with the business community in Estonia and on the ground experience of working in the market which resulted in an extremely worthwhile visit to the market." Alison Grundle, Solutions Consultant BTNI
"The 2005 trade mission to Estonia and Poland was a well-managed and thought out event which proved beneficial and enjoyable." Jonathan Kelly, Biznet Solutions
"The overall programme was run very well. It made it more easier for us to contact agents in these countries. For our type of business face to face is often the best way. Many contacts were excellent and it was just a matter of selling ourselves. We also found it a great networking exercise with local companies sharing ideas, discussing problems and seeing how we can use each others expertise to be successful." Sinead McCaul, Foyle Language School
"Level Seven's success in Estonia was entirely due to the organisers' professionalism and dedication in effectively planning every last detail." Stuart McLean, Level Seven
"As a small specialist company, the trade mission has both opened our business to potential new markets and business partnerships." Noreen Cleary, Elemental Creative
