Irish firm taps into UK market with airport water deal

Marina Donohoe of Enterprise Ireland, Business Minister Heather Humphreys, Cleantech MD Killian Smith and Darragh Cotter of Enterprise Ireland

Michael Cogley

Cavan-based civil engineering company Cleantech has won a £1.7m (€1.9m) tender contract to upgrade the water infrastructure at Glasgow Airport.

The company will improve the security of the supply network into Paisley on behalf of Scottish Water and its delivery partners the Caledonia Water Alliance.

The 12-week programme of works, which will start tomorrow, is one of a number of projects Cleantech has secured across Scotland and Ireland.

The deal was announced during Enterprise Ireland's trade visit last week, when 56 Irish companies travelled to Scotland. The aim of the mission was to consolidate Irish exports to the UK after Brexit.

Director of UK and northern Europe Marina Donohoe told the Sunday Independent Ireland and Scotland both had very strong trade ties.

"While Enterprise Ireland has a focus on supporting clients to grow beyond the UK and diversify their geographic footprint where they can, we continue to see significant growth opportunities within the UK market," she said.

"Last year Irish exports to the UK increased by 4pc to €7.62bn. Aligned with our market diversification strategy, Enterprise Ireland is supporting Irish companies to extend their customer range and geographic footprint in the UK."

The Cleantech deal was the first of four new contracts signed by Enterprise Ireland clients with Scottish partners this week. Limerick-based water company Central Solutions signed a partnership with food giant ABP to introduce its technology across the company.

Data traffic collection company Idaso announced it will open an office in Edinburgh in October while Over-C, an Irish data analytics firm, signed up to a five-year deal with Scottish Rail to increase safety along their lines.

"As Brexit negotiations progress, uncertainties remain for both Scottish and Irish companies and this has reinforced the need for us to strengthen our dialogue and interaction at company and government level," said Minister for Business Heather Humphreys.