CK International in Dungannon is supplying recycling machinery to Scandinavia and Russia through a deal with a Finnish company, secured following an Invest Northern Ireland trade mission.

The Tyrone company has signed a major deal for its range of waste balers with Europress Group of Kerava, an established and successful manufacturer of waste management machinery, which is based near Helsinki.

As well as selling CK International’s balers in Finland, Europress will also market the Northern Ireland company’s equipment in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Russia through its business network.

The contract - that will help secure existing jobs at the company - was announced by Dr Paul Conlon, CK International’s Managing Director, and welcomed by Tracy Meharg, Invest NI Managing Director of Innovation and Capability Development, at the start of the Invest NI trade mission to Russia. CK is part of the 14-strong mission visiting Moscow and St Petersburg next week.

Invest NI’s Tracy Meharg, the trade mission leader, said: “CK International has used a number of our trade missions as part of its strategic marketing plan to expand sales successfully outside Northern Ireland.

"The company identified opportunities during the most recent mission to Scandinavia and followed these up quickly and professionally.

“The outcome of their strategic approach is a partnership which will enable the company to harness business opportunities throughout the region, especially Russia.

“CK International’s success is a further demonstration that SMEs from Northern Ireland can do worthwhile business in the most competitive global markets, including Russia, by using the practical and experienced support available through our trade services.”

Dr Conlon, outlining the new contract, said: “The new business relationship with Europress is an important strategic development for us that gives us a firm platform for growth in markets such as Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Russia.

“Europress has a longstanding and successful market position there as a supplier of high quality waste management systems.

"The decision to include our machinery in their portfolio is a tremendous endorsement of the quality and functionality of our range of equipment. Our emphasis is on providing a solution that satisfies customer requirements.

“Our mission is to grow the company by exceeding customer requirements and supplying high quality and thoroughly reliable machinery. Our products are designed for ease of use and long life.”

(GK)