Ballyclare firm wins contracts worth £2m from Asia

Ballyclare Special Products has won orders worth more than £2 million for its high technology fire suits to protect firefighters in Malaysia and Taiwan.

The announcement was made on Wednesday 5 September by Lawson McDonald, IDB Deputy Chief Executive, who welcomed the company’s success in winning orders worth £2 million from the Malaysian Fire Brigade (Bomba) and £70,000 from the National Fire Administration in Taiwan.

The new orders will also provide employment opportunities, particularly for stitchers, at the County Antrim manufacturing plant.

Mr McDonald said: “This is excellent news for the company, for the Ballyclare area, and for the wider Northern Ireland clothing industry. Ballyclare Special Products is now firmly established as a global industry leader in the design and manufacture of vital clothing that protects firefighters in often life threatening emergencies.

“It has achieved this position through a continuous investment in R&D, particularly in the development of garments using the latest fire retardant fabrics, and in aggressive worldwide marketing initiatives that have also included participation in trade missions by Trade International, IDB’s export and trade arm, and support from Trade Partners UK.”

Peter Browne, Ballyclare Special Products Plant Manager, said: “The Malaysian order is immensely significant because it is one of the biggest won by the company in South East Asia and involves a revolutionary new fabric blend of Kevlar and Nomex, which offers greater protection to firefighters in the heat of an inferno.”

Deliveries of the new fire suits to Bomba in Kuala Lumpur begin in October. The company has already sent shipments to two Taiwan fire departments in March and April with another to go shortly.

Ballyclare Special Products was assisted by the British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) in Taiwan to develop contacts which led to the order from fire authorities there.

BTCO helped Ballyclare Special Products’ local agent in Taiwan to set up meetings and ensure that British fire protective clothing is well recognised by all fire departments in Taiwan. (MB)