Armagh based refrigeration company Cross Refrigeration has secured its first contract in Melbourne, Australia estimated to be worth over £7m.
The contract is with Australian-based supermarket chain Coles and the construction firm Qanstruct Pty Ltd. It is for the design, manufacture and installation of 60 banana and avocado ripening rooms.
Cross Refrigeration has used over £200,000 of Invest NI’s research and development support to develop its banana ripening facility.
Invest NI’s CEO Kevin Holland said: “Exports from Northern Ireland to Australia increased by over 110% and are currently valued at £249m.”
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Andrew Nesbitt, managing director of Cross Refrigeration added: “Whilst Australia is a distant market, it is one which offers major opportunities for our business.
“We have visited the market multiple times to build a relationship with numerous contacts and with Invest NI support have hired two staff to oversee the management of our exports in the market.
“Looking ahead, we now have an established footprint in the Australian market and we are optimistic we will see further growth.”
Invest NI’s R&D support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.
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Source: Written from press release
