Recession? What recession, says small Cork business

SMALL firms everywhere are battling to survive as the recession bites deep — but business is booming for a tiny west Cork company whose games are selling like hot cakes from America to Australia.

Exports are up by 150% on last year for designer Murray Heasman, who makes colourful board games, brain teasers and jigsaw puzzles at his company, just outside the rural village of Rossmore.

He confidently expects that, in 2009, foreign demand for his products will increase by 300% on this year.

Things are looking so good in fact, that he’s planning to expand his company, take on more staff and re-vamp his website for online marketing and game-playing as his company continues to buck the trend.

The reason? People are staying in more because of the recession, says the father-of-two — and they want better value for money. His award-winning games and puzzles, which mostly cost between €3 and €30 and can be used over and over again, fit the bill perfectly.

The managing director of Tailten Games, British-born Mr Heason has just launched his latest creation, Pluck the Peacock, an interactive matching pairs game for small children and families. &

“Business is really good. Our orders are increasing exponentially. We’re considering a major expansion. We’ll have to look at a new premises and hiring more staff to keep up with the orders.

“We seem to be filling a niche in the credit crunch,” Mr Heason said.