Holland Deal Builds Fermanagh Business

A Co Fermanagh building sector supplier is getting some 'Dutch Courage', with news of a contract in The Netherlands, potentially worth £2m.

NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced that Erne Extrusions has secured the lucrative deal, which is good news for the lakeland county company. It already employs 15 people at Lisnaskea - and is a leading manufacturer of plasterbeads for the construction industry.

Pictured alongside the Minister are Vincent McCoy, Managing Director of Erne Extrusions and Gerry Cadden, Sales Director, who said the contract is the biggest-ever export order to be won by the Fermanagh company.

It follows support from Invest Northern Ireland to develop business in the Dutch market.

The Minister said: "This is a tremendously encouraging development for a locally owned firm which is committed to growing business outside Northern Ireland.

"Invest NI support has given Erne Extrusions, and many other companies, experience of business opportunities, practices and processes in an important global market. This is essential if local businesses are to compete and become confident in new markets.

"Last year, I had the opportunity to lead a group of local companies, from a broad range of sectors, on an Invest NI trade mission to the Netherlands.

"I was extremely impressed by the businesses' professionalism and determination to succeed in a highly competitive marketplace," she said.

"Such positive developments in the Netherlands have already encouraged many small and medium sized enterprises to explore opportunities in other international markets, and a number have taken part in several of Invest NI's extensive list of trade missions and exhibitions over the past year," the Fermanagh-born DUP Minister continued.

Vincent McCoy, Managing Director of Erne Extrusions, commenting on the programme, said: "Our new Dutch partner, who has already visited us in Lisnaskea, has a well-established and successful business supplying metal profiles to builders in The Netherlands and Germany through an extensive network of builders merchants.

"We were able to offer access to our expertise and experience in the production of PVC extrusions.

"Invest NI's support introduced us to this new business opportunity and an established partnership that will enable us to grow our sales in the Netherlands through this major contract, and potentially in Germany, two very dynamic markets," he explained.

"As well as gaining valuable knowledge about the Dutch marketplace and business procedures there from our engagement with NI Trade Consultants, we were introduced to a major manufacturer that resulted in substantial business for our PVC plasterbeads and the prospect of further contracts for another product in Germany.

"The timing of our visit to The Netherlands therefore, was perfect."

(BMcC/GK)