THE STRONG economic links between Ards and North Down and America have been celebrated during tours of local businesses by the US consul to Northern Ireland, James Applegate.
Hosted by Ards and North Down civic leaders, the American official visited entrepreneurs from a diverse range of industries and also with local students who recently participated in an American exchange programme.
Mr Applegate was shown around Lakeland Dairies’ Pritchitts operation in Newtownards which employs approximately 260 employees and has over 100 years in producing high-quality dairy products.
The company sources fresh milk from 3,200 family-owned farms and serves customers in over 80 countries, including the United States. The Newtownards facility specialises in long-life milk products like UHT milk.
During a tour of WHALE, part of the NAVICO Group in Bangor, the consul learned of its reputation as a global supplier of high-quality low voltage pump, plumbing and heating systems marine vessels, caravans, motorhomes, and healthcare environments.
Acquired by the Brunswick Corporation in 2014 and now part of the Navico Group, WHALE employs around 200 people and exports globally, including to the US.
The tour delegation continued on to Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee where 17 employees spend their time perfecting its range of award-winning gins, rums and a new range of malt and pot-still whiskey.
As the other firms visited, Copeland Distillery is also an exporter of its products to the US, through its distributor Tradebright.
The visit concluded with the US consul meeting Glenlola Collegiate principal, Eric Thompson, teacher Keith Dorman, and six pupils who told him of their experiences of American high school life, following their exchange trip to Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach.
The girls enjoyed the once in a lifetime trip as part of the longstanding Sister Cities relationship between North Down and Virginia Beach.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said the visit ‘underscores the strong economic and cultural ties between our region and the United States’.
“The collaboration and innovation demonstrated by our local businesses and educational institutions are a testament to our community’s resilience and forward-thinking spirit. We look forward to fostering even deeper connections in the future.”
Consul General James Applegate returned to the borough this week following a trip in June as part of the council’s commemoration of D-Day and the borough’s unique role in advance of the pivotal World War Two battle.
“I was delighted to return today to learn more about our present-day connections in business and educational exchange,” he said.
“I am grateful to Ards and North Down Borough Council, as well as local business and academic leaders, for building these exciting and mutually-beneficial links.”
