BARRA WINNER AT HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS BUSINESS AWARDS

Hebridean Tech House, which is run by Russian Vladimir Dasiukevich, took home the award for Best Development of e-commerce, at the recent Highlands & Islands Business Awards in Inverness.

The business was established on Barra in 2002 as Soviet Bazaar, importing Russian made binoculars and sports scopes. It now employs eight staff and assembles on site a range of night vision devices. Its night vision goggles, which were developed on Barra, are attracting considerable interest form the law enforcement agencies and the military. Mr. Dasiukevich recently won a contract to supply equipment to a United Nation peacekeeping force.

The business searches globally for the best manufacturer, before assembling the equipment on Barra. The specialist equipment is marketed on the internet. A quarter of the company’s turnover last year came form web-based sales.

Mr Dasiukevich said the businesses relied heavily on the internet for new product development and marketing. He added: “At present, we cannot manufacture in a rural setting like Barra, so we develop the concept of the product and then test prototypes.”

Commenting on the business’s success, Chairman of the Comhairle's Sustainable Development committee, Paible Councillor Archie Campbell, said, "Congratulations are due to Vladimir and all at Hebridean Tech. House on their success at these awards. This shows how vitally important new technologies are to the Western Isles, and - having recognised this - the Comhairle, along with our partners, have invested heavily recently in the development of a Connected Communities project, which will soon see broadband access being rolled out to all areas of the Western Isles over the next couple of years.
Hebridean Tech House are making a vital contribution to the Barra economy. The company provides local jobs and will hopefully build on their success over the coming years. ”

The 19th annual Highlands and Islands Business Awards - sponsored by the Press and Journal, Ernst and Young and Highlands and Islands Enterprise - were held at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness. The awards were presented by Donald MacDonald, Chairman of MacDonald Hotels and Aviemore Highland Resort, who originates from Harris.

This is also the second consecutive year that a Barra-based business has triumphed at the Highland & Islands Business Awards. In 2003, "Hebridean Toffee" were awarded a special Best Marketing prize. By the end of the year, both businesses will also be operating from Comhairle-owned development units in Castlebay.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk