Invest NI chairman praises agri-machinery firm

A Londonderry machinery firm have been praised by Invest NI Chairman Professor Fabian Monds for its three recent accolades at the National Training Awards.

Professor Monds congratulated Fleming Agri-Products on its awards success during a visit to the firms base at Newbuildings were he was briefed about the company’s commitment to employee development and its success in markets outside Northern Ireland.

The company gained regional and national awards and also won a special award for ‘effective training to develop a small business’ at a ceremony in the Guildhall, London, last week.

Professor Monds said: "This is a very progressive small business which has benefited substantially in productivity, sales and profits from its commitment to training and customer focused services.

“It has taken advantage of support provided through Invest NI’s Company Development Programme to focus on innovation. By moving closer to its clients and focusing on innovation the company has trebled its product range and introduced processes that have increased efficiency. Among new products developed are hydraulic folding land rollers/ levellers, small parkland equipment and an expanding range of grass topping machinery.

“The improvements in productivity and customer services and the expanded product range have underpinned an aggressive marketing campaign that has resulted in new business for the company in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. In addition, the company has used Invest NI trade services to explore in markets such as the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.

“Manufacturing companies in traditional sectors make a significant contribution to the Northern Ireland economy in terms of exports and employment. Invest NI will continue to assist these companies to grow by initiatives which help them to compete more effectively through innovation and enterprise," he added.

A family-run business formed in 1860, Fleming Agri-Products manufactures a range of agricultural machinery products including bale lifting, transporting and stacking machinery. Other machinery includes land rollers, grass toppers, yardscrapers and cultivation equipment.

(MB)