When Greg Bradley started the his gym equipment company 14 years ago, someone told him he would never sell outside the island of Ireland.
“I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong’,” he said. “Thankfully, we have been able to do that.”
BLK BOX is based in Newtownabbey – but it has secured contracts with high-profile customers all over the world, from sports teams like Manchester United to chains like PureGym.
Bradley is just one of many success stories, with official figures showing economic activity in Northern Ireland in the second quarter of this year grew faster than the UK and Republic of Ireland.
BLK BOX works internationally across the EU and markets like the US, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Australia and has grown its workforce to 180 staff.
Bradley said Covid had made people realise the importance of their health and “a lot of young people are into going to the gym”.
“We have won high profile contracts and expanding internationally across France, Spain, Germany and other countries,” he told BBC News NI.
He added that the Windsor Framework had also been advantageous compared to English competitors.
“We’ve been able to win a contract with a large French gym chain, Stade Français rugby team, so it’s actually worked out good for us and we are really doubling down on that.
“There’s still a bit of an education process with it, not everyone knows that we can ship frictionlessly across Europe, they are a bit scared of tariffs but once you explain it, everyone is really interested.”
