Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Concrete Batching Systems in Armagh has won a £500,000 contract to supply machinery to a precast concrete manufacturer in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Minister announced the contract for Concrete Batching Systems, a specialist in design, manufacture and installation of turnkey concrete batching plants and mixing systems, at the Gulf Markets Tour market showcase in Belfast organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and Invest Northern Ireland.

Around 70 local companies attended the event held to highlight export opportunities in Middle East markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Participating companies were briefed about opportunities by a team of experts from these markets.

Concrete Batching Systems is supplying two complete and fully automatic batching systems to a major precast concrete product manufacturer in Abu Dhabi to manufacture concrete products for Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the showcase event in Belfast, Arlene Foster said: "This is an excellent example of how a growing Northern Ireland company can prosper in a global market through a strategic approach to business development that involves regular visits and fast response to leads and inquiries for potential customers.

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"The business is the direct result of a focus on developing markets in the Middle East which continue to offer significant opportunities to Northern Ireland companies prepared to invest the time and other resources to both explore and exploit opportunities in the Gulf and neighbouring regions. Gulf markets currently purchase products and services worth over £200 million annually from Northern Ireland.

"The strategic focus on exports is now producing tangible benefits for the company, which currently sells over 90 per cent of its machinery to customers outside Northern Ireland, including Libya, Africa, Sudan and Nigeria, a marvellous achievement for an engineering business that has grown substantially.

"In addition to its impressive commitment to exports, Concrete Batching Systems has strengthened its overall competitiveness by investing in innovative products and services that differentiate the business in its target markets."

Bryan Irwin, Sales Director of Concrete Batching Systems, said: "Our success in the Middle East and other markets is based on our knowledge and expertise in wet and dry concrete batching production which enables us to develop systems to the specific requirements of our customers.

"This means that our machinery can be designed and adapted to suit any specific site.

"What we offer is a total turnkey service, from specification through manufacturing to installation, commissioning and maintenance with full technical support. Another key feature of our equipment is the modular design; this enables us to erect the systems for customers on site quickly and easily, thereby minimising any costly downtime."

(CD)