From a back bedroom to the Olympics: Northern Ireland sportswear firm nets £300,000 funding to fuel expansion
Co Armagh sportswear firm, official kit provider for Team Ireland, invests in stock, turnaround times, and a new ambassador range as it scales operations across the UK and Ireland
Craigavon sportswear company McKvr, one of Ireland’s fastest-growing performance brands and official kit provider to Team Ireland, has secured a £300,000 funding package from HSBC UK to support stock purchasing and improve turnaround times.
Founded by Padraic McKeever in 2004 as a back-bedroom startup in Co Armagh, the business has grown into a major player in Irish sport. Now employing 90 people, McKvr produces up to 2,000 garments per week from its Lurgan base, with all teamwear manufactured using 100% recycled polyester made from plastic bottles.
The new funding package includes trade finance facilities, enabling the company to import larger volumes of stock, fulfil bespoke orders more quickly, and expand contracts across the UK and Ireland. The investment comes amid rising demand from both grassroots clubs and elite teams across GAA, hurling, camogie, football and rugby.
The funding has also supported the launch of McKvr’s first brand ambassador clothing range for Gaelic games, fronted by Kerry football star David Clifford, alongside continued investment in the company’s core teamwear offering.
Padraic said: “Access to this funding has made a significant difference to our business, allowing us to invest in the businesses key areas of focus such as stock and client experience through improving our turnaround times. HSBC UK has supported us at a key stage of our growth and helped us plan confidently and securely for the year ahead.”
Jennifer Hood, relationship manager at HSBC UK, said; “We’re pleased to support Padraic and the team at McKvr as they continue to grow their operations and invest in sustainable manufacturing. The business plays an important role in supporting Irish sport at all levels, and we look forward to working with them as they build on their success.”
In 2025, HSBC UK also provided an £85,000 loan to support building works following the consolidation of the company’s manufacturing and warehousing operations into a single site.