PAT Dougan of Mackie was the star turn at the presentation of the AIB Export Awards in Belfast earlier this week. Not only was Mackie revealed as the worthy winner, but Dougan whose tough management style is legendary gave an amusing off the cuff address to the assembled guests.

He started by apologising to all present he felt that he would have offended many of them at one stage or another. Then he went on to relate how just earlier that day his secretary had told him that he didn't need to be "so bloody ignorant" all the time. Dougan's tough style certainly works the share price has all but doubled since the company was floated on the market just after the ceasefires were called in late 1994.