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Northern Ireland entrepreneur,
Brian Lockhart, a Director
of Craigavon-based Wilson's Country, has developed a
unique water cleaning system and has set up a new company
- Lock-Hart Environmental - to bring it to market.
Mr Lockhart got the idea for
his innovative development while working for Wilson’s
Country, where he was tasked with examining effective
methods of cleaning potato wash waste water - and bringing
it to a standard that allowed it to be recycled.
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Brian is hoping to fast-track his
environmentally friendly invention to commercial success with
the help of Invest Northern Ireland’s Propel programme, which
aims to establish successful fast growth, knowledge intensive
businesses that could generate significant export sales and
boost the local economy.
The programme provides entrepreneurs
with salary support and the skills, expertise and networks
to fast-track the development of cutting-edge business ideas
into profitable global enterprises.
Mr Lockhart said - “Any company that
creates waste water needs to comply with discharge or recycling
standards. Our innovative modular water cleaning product achieves
these high standards with significantly reduced capital expenditure,
footprint and running costs - unlike traditional biological
or chemical methods.
“The unit will fill a gap in the market
for a small-scale effluent treatment process that can treat
a wide range of contaminants - including heavy metals, bacterial
contaminants and carbonic based compounds. It will reduce
effluent treatment costs and help businesses to compete in
the global market.”
Brian is one of 21 entrepreneurs taking
part in the Propel programme, which offers master classes,
specialist advice from local and international experts, access
to potential investors, strategic business planning support,
a hot desk at an incubation centre and a research visit to
an overseas market. Extensive one-to-one mentoring is also
provided.
He added - “The Propel programme has
made a huge impact on me. It has given me the tools to structure
the business and build it with strong foundations. I am focusing
on producing a robust business plan using all the tools and
business detail I have been shown on the programme.”
Alastair Higgins, Invest NI, said
- “There is no shortage of innovative ideas in Northern Ireland
- which, when combined with commercial acumen, can produce
successful businesses. Our Propel
programme is helping participants to maximise the commercial
potential of their ideas and generate the best possible return
for themselves, their investors and the local economy.”
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