Business

Lisburn conveyor belt firm in US expansion

International sales manager Ryan Wright (left), who will take charge of Smiley Munroe's growing North America business, pictured with global sales director Chris Monroe and HR and people development head Jayne Peters
International sales manager Ryan Wright (left), who will take charge of Smiley Munroe's growing North America business, pictured with global sales director Chris Monroe and HR and people development head Jayne Peters International sales manager Ryan Wright (left), who will take charge of Smiley Munroe's growing North America business, pictured with global sales director Chris Monroe and HR and people development head Jayne Peters

LISBURN manufacturer Smiley Munroe, which makes heavy-duty conveyor belts and custom-cut rubber parts, is expanding into the US as it further bids to 'Brexit-proof' its business.

It plans to open a plant at Franklin in Kentucky, which it says will safeguard the existing jobs at the company's headquarters and lead to the hiring of 30 new people.

It represents a $2 million (£1.6m), assisted by Danske Bank and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the plant expects to be up and running by next January.

Over the past 40 years Smiley Munroe has grown to become the UK's leading producer of highly-customised conveyor belt, which is exports to more than 60 countries as well as supporting local customers such as Powerscreen, Terex, McCloskey, Sandvik and CDE.

Global sales manager Chris Monroe says creating a manufacturing base in the States is a "natural strategic move" as a result of a number of different factors.

He said: "With the political uncertainty both in the UK and beyond, protecting our export sales is paramount to growing the business and safeguarding jobs in Northern Ireland.

"Having a base in the US will shorten lead times for customers and help us be more competitive in the tough US market.

"Removing barriers to trade will fast track our ambitious growth plans to increase turnover by 50 per cent over the next three years.”

The company was founded in Lisburn by Vaughan Monroe and now boast customers in 60 countries and employs 170 staff.