Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Councillor Sarah Duffy has led the chorus of congratulations sent to The Deluxe Group following yesterday’s major announcement that the Portadown-based company has secured a £30m contract to fit out the interior of a new cruise ship in Germany.
Established more than 50 years ago, the family-owned business specialises in building upmarket interiors for the entertainment, luxury hospitality, prime residential, marine and workplace sectors.
The last year has brought big wins for The Deluxe Group as it pursued ambitious expansion plans. An investment of £1.5m enabled the company to increase capacity at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Portadown by 100% and open a further workshop near Belfast International Airport – resulting in the creation of 30 new jobs.
Also, with a new subsidiary in Orlando, Florida, it has established a presence in the home of both the cruise and themed entertainment industries.
Prefabrication for this cruise ship project will take place at its Portadown site. Scheduled to set sail in the Far East in 2025, the new state-of-the-art vessel promises an unparalleled immersive experience for its passengers, setting new standards in the cruise industry.
The Deluxe Group’s specialist team will be spending 12 months fitting out dining and entertainment spaces onboard the new vessel in preparation for passengers embarking on an unforgettable cruise experience next year.
Welcoming this major contract win, the Lord Mayor said:
“I’m delighted for the Executive Chairman, Colm O’Farrell, and his hugely talented team of multi-skilled craftspeople at The Deluxe Group.
This awarded contract testifies to the company’s high quality of workmanship and unstinting commitment to creating authentic story-led interiors, using the latest 3D design and advanced manufacturing technology to bring imaginative concepts to life.
Over the past decade, the company has grown to become widely recognised as a major player on the global stage in the upmarket fit-out industry. It boasts a stellar portfolio of internationally recognised brands such as Universal Studios, Disney, AC Marriott, Marella Cruises, The Old War Office by Raffles in London to name but a few.
Exciting times lie ahead for The Deluxe Group. I look forward to hearing about future developments as the company builds on its success in international markets and grows its share of the expanding experience economy.”
Acknowledging that The Deluxe Group deserves all the plaudits it receives, Alderman Paul Greenfield, Chair of the Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Committee, added:
“This is brilliant news for The Deluxe Group and a great boost to the local economy. The company has retained the positive attributes associated with a family-owned business but has combined these with a global outlook and innovative approach to grow from a specialist decorative finishes sub-contractor to delivering world-class turn-key fit-out interiors.
Over the past few years, it has achieved exponential growth with a 45% increase in export sales and more than half of its turnover coming from international projects in countries such as Japan, Spain, and the USA.
I hope The Deluxe Group’s success story inspires other businesses from the borough to explore new export opportunities.”
For further information on The Deluxe Group and the many exciting career opportunities available, check out www.thedeluxegroup.com.
