Philip Diamond, Vice President of Corporate Market Development at Almac, addressed businesses from across Northern Ireland on 21 February, at the third Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce Export First thought leadership event in partnership with Northern Bank, ASM Chartered Accountants and A&L Goodbody.

Speaking to an assembled audience of 40 businesses who were onsite at Almac’s Craigavon Global Headquarters for a briefing of Almac’s export strategy, Philip Diamond also provided attendees with a tour of Almac’s clinical services and laboratory facilities. 

The Almac Group provides a comprehensive range of integrated drug development services available to the pharmaceutical / biotech industry. With its global headquarters in Craigavon, the company currently employs over 3,300 people and has extensive facilities in the UK and US. Almac’s services are used by over 600 companies worldwide including the majority of the leading pharma and biotech companies. 

Speaking at the event, the Almac Vice President commented:

“Almac has always understood the importance of developing existing export markets as well as exploring new export opportunities.

Less than 10% of our sales revenue is from the UK with approximately 50% deriving from the US marketplace.  The rest of Europe accounts for the majority of the remainder of our sales, however the Australasian region now accounts for a small, but growing percentage. 

Almac continues to identify new market opportunities, and it is by doing so that we have managed to defy the downturn and continue to grow. In Craigavon, our employee figures have grown to over 2,000 and globally Almac now employs 3,300 people.” 

Speaking afterwards, Peter Stafford, Corporate Partner of A&L Goodbody, said: 

“Events such as today’s provide companies the opportunity to learn from those already established in the export business.

Almac are a major contributor to the Northern Ireland economy and a great source of inspiration to current and aspiring exporters in Northern Ireland – whilst also creating jobs in local communities, and contributing to the economic recovery we so desperately need.

For aspiring exporters, the one very simple step they should take would be to seek advice from successful exporters such as Almac.”

Export First was developed by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Northern Bank, ASM Chartered Accountants and A&L Goodbody. The programme aims to engage the support of leading local companies to support small businesses with their export aspirations. Specifically, it is expected to increase awareness amongst SMEs of existing export schemes, provide support to potential exporters; and provide assistance to firms seeking new market opportunities by linking them to individuals who have experience in addressing many of the issues and queries encountered by first time exporters.

The next Export First event is ‘Roadmap to Export Success – Financial & Legal Considerations for Export Markets’. The event will take place on the 14 March 2012 at The Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre in Lisburn. For more details please visit www.northernirelandchamber.com