Diagnostic testing firm CIGA Healthcare is among the 2024 winners of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards announced today.
Now in their second year, the awards celebrate the international sales success of small-medium businesses across the UK and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity.
Awarded in the Healthcare category, Ballymena-based CIGA Healthcare is a leading UK company specialising in rapid diagnostic tests including fertility tests, blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitors. It supplies both the professional and consumer markets in its SURESIGN brand and also in customer “own label” brands.
CIGA Healthcare’s products are supplied to national health services and international brands, such as Walmart and Walgreens, and the company’s international reach extends to over 80 countries, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, and nations across South America. It has just secured a new US deal to supply a range of products to Walmart Marketplace in the US after meeting the team in Belfast. It expects this deal to reach a value of $500,000 in the first year.
Minister for Exports Lord Offord, said:
“We’re proud of our British exporters and these Awards highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products around the world. I hope the winners serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder and encourage more businesses to showcase the incredible talent and innovation of UK businesses selling abroad.”
Commenting on CIGA Healthcare’s win, Irwin Armstrong, CEO, said:
“We are delighted to receive the reward, which recognises the tremendous work put in by everyone in our company over the past few years. We have been supported by the DBT and InvestNI in our international marketing efforts which has helped us reach new markets. To have the recognition of the UK Government will give our international distributors enormous confidence in our company and enable us to expand into additional markets.”
Marco Forgione, Director General of The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and panel judge, said:
“CIGA Healthcare operate in the International Rapid Test Diagnostic sector, with a diverse portfolio catering to both professional and consumer markets under the esteemed SURESIGN brand, as well as offering bespoke ‘own label’ offerings. From supplying renowned international brands like Walmart and Walgreens to serving national health services, Ciga’s impact reverberates across the globe. With exports spanning over 80 countries, including key markets in the USA, Canada, Europe and beyond, CIGA’s commitment to quality and accessibility knows no bounds.”
In 2021, DBT launched the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign to celebrate exporting success from across the UK and tell businesses’ stories. The awards programme builds on this to further recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.