At home Basil Haslett operates Glass Craft out of a former small-holding in the townland of Bendooragh outside Ballymoney - his US business is based in Stone Mountain Industrial Park, Dekalb County, Atlanta, Georgia – just 12 miles from midtown Atlanta.

It has all been something of a whirlwind for Basil who developed his revolutionary method of etching on glass from a successful tombstone business which he set up in the early 1990s, following a previous career in banking and economics.

The environmental benefits of etching on glass emerged when Basil discovered etching on toughened glass transformed its molecular structure, which in turn significantly reduced heat passing through. If taken to its natural conclusion the outcome would be a reduction in the need for air conditioning and the energy needed to power it.

Research at the University of Ulster supported Basil’s findings that glass etching reduces solar heat transference by up to 45%. The implications for environmental and economic savings could be enormous.

Basil says, “I had no intention of establishing Glass Craft in the US but then the opportunity of a place on one of the Chamber’s Trade Missions came up in 2005 and I took it out of curiosity. The people that I met on that first Mission, their enthusiasm, support and advice set me on this path.

“Earlier this year I was granted a US patent for my glass etching method and I established Glass Craft USA . LLC. in the State of Georgia in 2007.

“It has been a long journey from 2005 to the point I am at now, with a business in Co Antrim and another in Atlanta. I would advise anyone thinking of exploring the US market to go with a Chamber Trade Mission, it’s the best way to venture to the US because you are chaperoned, with meetings and contacts pre selected and laid on as well as having the use of modern centrally based offices.”

“The GatewaysUSA Mission Manager Ben McGrane said, “Basil Haslett’s story is an example of what can be achieved with determination, enthusiasm and good solid support.

“There are still a myriad of opportunities in the US and the Chamber’s contacts and knowledge are there to smooth the path. There is a huge tide of goodwill towards businesses from Northern Ireland because of the strong Ulster Scots ties.

“The autumn mission will be our fifth to Atlanta and the connections grow stronger each time. We have forged close links with the Gassey Group who are in-market consultants and who are responsible for co-ordinating all our meetings and events when we are out there. We have also established close links with the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta which provides us with a base in state-of-the-art offices in the impressive Bank of America Building in the heart of midtown Atlanta.”

The next NI Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Atlanta will take place in the autumn. Up to 10 delegates can be accommodated on each mission.