Smiley Monroe Reports 123 Percent Growth In Exports

Smiley Monroe, the Lisburn-based specialist manufacturer of conveyor belting and screens has used Invest Northern Ireland assistance to achieve a record 123 per cent growth in exports over the past year.

The company has taken part in Invest NI trade initiatives including participation at the recent International Quarrying and Recycling Exhibition at Buxton in Derbyshire, to develop contacts that have led to new business in key markets such as the US and India.

Smiley Monroe also received advice and support in establishing an office near Bangalore in India to develop interest there in its range of products for the materials handling industry.

The company’s export achievements were announced by Vaughan Monroe, Managing Director of Smiley Monroe, based at Knockmore Business Park in Lisburn, and welcomed by Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, who said: “This is an immensely important achievement by a company operating in a highly competitive marketplace and against a difficult global business environment.

“The success is based on a strategic focus on existing and potential clients in both established markets such as the US and Europe and also developing nations especially India.

“The company has recognised that growth is possible by strategically investing resources in developing the closest possible relationships with customers, both existing and potential, to understand their business and their individual requirements. This approach enables Smiley Monroe to respond quickly and effectively to their specific requirements.

“In addition, the company has strengthened its global competitiveness by investing in innovation particularly in new products,” Dr Kell added.

Mr Monroe said: “Our products perform every day in the toughest applications and in the most challenging markets; from the UK and Ireland to Europe, US, Canada, Africa, Australasia and now India, where we have recently established an office.

“We have taken part in a number of Invest NI trade initiatives, including exhibitions in the US, UK and India, to enable us to exploit market opportunities in markets such as India. By staying in touch with markets and particularly customers we’ve been able to respond quickly to their requirements and to develop highly innovative solutions for them.

“For instance, the conveyor improvement products and services that we showcased last week at Hillhead demonstrate our commitment to helping our customers meet their targets for efficiency, safety and environmental compliance.

“The new products are the latest extension to our portfolio developed over 30 years in providing solutions to customers in the specific areas of conveying and screening and in industries as diverse as quarrying, mining, recycling, cement, coal-fired power stations, fertiliser and ports. The new products also included a modular conveyor belt cleaner, ‘Belt Buddy’ rapid repair resin for rubber conveyor belts and tyres and a new range of vulcanising materials and equipment.”

(CD)