Irish firms attracted by show's X-factor

THE INTERNATIONAL Consumer Electronics Show attracts companies from all over the world to showcase their products and services in Las Vegas.

While they may not be immediately obvious to the causal observer, there is a significant number of Irish-based firms in attendance, both on the exhibition floor and behind the scenes in meeting rooms.

Regardless of what kind of presence the firms have at the show, the general perception is the long trip is worth making.

Two years ago, Apt-X came to CES and walked away with a prize for Best in CES. Now, it is part of the CSR group, but the Apt-X unit is still based in Belfast.

At the show this year, the success of the company’s strategy was evident on the CSR stand. A mocked-up livingroom showed off the use of Apt-X technology to provide audio via Bluetooth from home cinema speakers to headphones. Companies such as Sennheiser and Nokia have already signed up.

“Last year was all about the source devices,” says Jonny McClintock, who heads up the Apt-X unit.

The company has its sights set on performing a similar feat with Wi-Fi next, as Bluetooth becomes more mainstream.

McClintock is confident that, given the company’s experience with Bluetooth, it can replicate that success.

Enterprise Ireland’s Simone Bostock says CES presents opportunities for Irish firms, giving them access to an international stage for their products.

However, it is important the company is a good fit for the international market to get the most out of the trip.

The conference can also be useful for gauging upcoming trends in the market. Allsop Europe, which is based in Waterford, was at the conference to showcase its new range of products, including Clingo stands for tablets, adhesive protective skins for tablets and smartphones, and keyboard cases for the iPad and other tablets.

Ciarán Duffy, sales and marketing manager for the company, says this year is all about the tablet in terms of customer interest.

“Previously it was a browsing tool,” he said, “now it’s much more a functioning business tool.”

Even if the company is not exhibiting, though, some have found it is worthwhile to have some sort of presence at the event.

Dial2Do has completed deals with a number of international firms, including Plantronics and Supertooth, and says CES offers the company the chance to meet firms.

“It is a central location to meet partners and customers in a condensed way,” says Greg Casey, vice president of business development with the software maker. “We have in the past exhibited here; we don’t any more because we found it was too much of a drain on our time – we didn’t have time to network.”

As the 3D movement tries to get traction outside of TVs and the living room, mobile devices are poised to take advantage of the new demand.

Irish firm Movidius specialises in this area and uses CES to meet international customers and prospective leads.

Chief executive Seán Mitchell says the show has had some promising results for the firm.

“The one thing that we have done is to have a private suite where we’re showing the products, which tends to be more efficient because you’ve got so many meetings that you’ve set up ahead of time, your exhibit isn’t cluttered with potential competitors or people wasting your time. It’s a lot more productive.”