Derry Firm Wins NI Ambulance Service Contract

One of Derry's last surviving clothing manufacturers has been awarded a contract to supply uniforms to the North's Ambulance Service.

Simon Hunter, Managing Director of Hunter Apparel Solutions Ltd, says the firm has secured a three year - with further twelve month option - ambulance service contract.

"We are delighted to have won this NI regional contract which helps us consolidate our market leading position in web based fully managed service contracts in this sector", he says.

Bryan Snoddy, Asst Director of Operations, of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, says staff are pleased with their new uniforms.

"The main change in our uniform issue has been the bespoke gore jacket, which was developed between Hunter Apparel and the NIAS Uniform Committee.

"Staff are very happy with this item as it is very functional and portrays a professional image of the Ambulance Service. NIAS look forward to continuing working with Hunters in their new role as the sole supplier in the new contract."

Hunter Apparel Solutions now supplies uniforms to tens of thousands of emergency service workers in the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile Simon Hunter, the company's MD has also been recognised as Family Director of the Year at the recent IoD (Institute of Directors) Director of the Year Awards.

The award is in recognition of Simon's leading role in the Company's diversification strategy and then remodelling the business to allow it to survive and prosper in the recession against a backdrop of competitor business failing.

Simon, who is the third generation of the Hunter family to take on the Managing Director role, is currently working with Invest NI after the company was recognised as one of 20 companies which the economic development agency believes has the right strategy for delivering high growth.

The company, which has diversified in recent times to become the country's leading uniform supplier, plans to increase it's workforce by 10% this year to assist with the delivery of export.