Two Northern Ireland firms selected for UK export awards

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) awards celebrate the export success of small businesses around the UK, as new figures show it was the world’s fourth largest exporter of goods and services in 2022.

Ciga Healthcare in Ballymena now exports its rapid diagnostic tests including fertility tests, blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitors to 80 countries.

And at semiconductor specialist IceMOS Technology in Belfast, 99% of its business exported outside of the British Isles.

Ciga’s products are supplied to national health services and international brands, such as Walmart and AmerisourceBergen. It has just secured a new US deal to supply a range of products to Walmart Marketplace in the US, expected to reach a value of $500,000 in the first year.

Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, said: “We’re proud of our British exporters and these awards highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products around the world.”

Irwin Armstrong, chief executive of Ciga Healthcare, said: “We are delighted to receive the reward, which recognises the tremendous work put in by everyone in our company over the past few years.

"We have been supported by the DBT and Invest NI in our international marketing efforts which has helped us reach new markets.

"To have the recognition of the UK Government will give our international distributors enormous confidence in our company and enable us to expand into additional markets.”

Dr Samuel J Anderson, founder and chairman of IceMOS Technology, said: "This win underscores our position as a leader in the industry and validates the effectiveness of our sensing and power technologies in driving energy efficiency and CO2 reduction.

"It provides us with a strong foundation to further expand our exporting success. Building on this momentum, we aim to diversify our export markets and deepen our presence in existing ones.”

Marco Forgione, director general of The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and panel judge, said that Ciga’s impact “reverberates across the globe”.

“With exports spanning over 80 countries, including key markets in the USA, Canada, Europe and beyond, Ciga's commitment to quality and accessibility knows no bounds.”

He described IceMOS Technology as a “pioneer in the semiconductor industry”. “With a strong focus on market diversification, IceMOS has achieved remarkable growth and now serves over 150 customers.”