Antrim firm secure £2m business through US deal

An Antrim-based electronics company has forged a business partnership with a US firm which will result in new business worth around £2 million for its innovative portable airfield and emergency lighting systems.

Arbarr Electronics, assisted by Invest NI, secured the deal following a visit to Northern Ireland by a major business delegation from Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the World Trade Centre, Denver.

Arbarr chief executive James McCorley said the high level of interest in the company's range of products in the US had been assisted by the advice and guidance provided by Invest NI's Northern Ireland Technology and Development Centre (NITDC) in Denver. This support had encouraged him to establish a subsidiary operation, Arbarr Electronics Inc, in Denver.

"This is a huge marketplace with enormous potential for our products, particularly our unique portable lighting system which has applications for airfields, helipads and for search and rescue operations,” Mr McCorley said.

"Our marketing efforts have benefited enormously from the practical advice and contact building support from Invest NI's Technology and Development Centre in Denver. The centre helped us in finding the right partner to work with in what is a new and potentially very exciting market for us."

Arbarr Electronics, which employs around 20 people in Antrim, gained a SMART award for its portable lighting system. The company also supplies marshalling wands to airports throughout the UK.

(MB/GMCG)