Tyrone-based Carmac Waste Handling Systems, a specialist in the design and manufacture of recycling machinery, has won substantial contracts in Great Britain and North America with help from Invest Northern Ireland.

The Carrickmore company has provided all the systems for a new state-of-the-art recycling facility at Thetford in Norfolk.

The £5 million plant, operated by Pearsons, one of the UK's leading recycling companies, was officially opened last week by Richard Jewson, the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, at a high profile event.

Carmac, in addition, is designing and producing waste processing machinery for a major customer in Canada, a deal secured following an initial inquiry received through its website, the development of which was assisted by Invest NI's Western Regional Office in Omagh.

The engineering company has developed a range of machinery designed specifically for the recycling and efficient handling of a range of materials, including construction and demolition waste, commercial and industrial waste, and municipal waste.

The company, which has developed substantial business in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, is focusing on expanding its business in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and further afield.

It recently signed a distribution agreement for England and Wales with Waste Processing Solutions (WPS) Ltd, a company formed by a well-established machinery distributor.

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Declan McNally, Carmac WHS Managing Director, said: "The contract with Pearsons is of strategic importance for us in the UK, one of our target markets. It gives us an important reference site in England that shows all our machinery in a fully integrated recycling operation.

"The Canadian deal is among a number of key contracts that we are currently handling for our unique expertise in, and knowledge of, waste handling machinery.

"The deal with Pearsons and other contracts show the growing recognition that our equipment has been designed specifically for handling all types of waste.

"The equipment is based on experience gained over 10 years in the recycling industry. Our extensive knowledge covers waste handling systems, particularly those relating to the processing of mixed dry recyclables, municipal, construction and demolition waste.

"As a result, our experience ensures we understand the unique and diverse requirements for waste processing.

"Invest NI's advice and practical support in areas such as marketing has been extremely important. We've been helped to visit Canada and also to take part in the Con-Ag Exhibition in Las Vegas, the world's leading machinery exhibition.

"We've also been building up our export capability by participating in the Invest NI Passport to Export Programme.

"Our continued focus on research and development has lead to the continuous improvement and development of our product range, and we are able to offer complete solutions to meet our clients waste processing needs," Mr McNally added.

Alan Hingston, Invest NI's Trade Director, welcoming Carmac's success, said: "This ambitious company is ideally positioned to benefit from the fast growing and international demand for efficient and cost-effective waste recycling solutions for a broad range of materials.

"Our programme of missions and trade shows has been developed to take account of environmental concerns and to enable local companies to explore opportunities developing in key markets such as North America and Europe."

Carmac, which currently employs 19 people in Carrickmore, designs and manufactures high quality, durable modular units that meet the customer's waste processing needs.

This approach to product development enables machinery to be used on a stand-alone basis or fully integrated to enhance existing facilities.

The modular nature also results in faster deployment on the ground, solving customers waste processing problems quickly and conveniently, without the long lead in times often associated with traditional bespoke systems.

(PR/JM)