A CO Armagh company has secured new orders in the United States for its own specially developed replacement parts for Land Rover.
Impact Fabrications won the orders following a recent trade mission led by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council.
Based in Armagh city, Paul Coyle’s steel fabrication firm claims to be the world’s only manufacturer of galvanised chassis and bulkhead parts for the former top-selling Defender and Series models of Land Rover, which it sells under its ‘Shielder Chassis’ brand.
Set up in 1992, Impact Fabrications initially specialised in the manufacture of wind turbine towers before carving out its own niche market for car parts.
The products, developed by the firm’s 17-strong team to help extend the lifetime of the classic Land Rover models, are now exported to 24 countries worldwide.
Mr Coyle said orders in the US had been significantly bolstered after taking part in a recent trade delegation.
He said the meeting with Rover North Inc resulted in an immediate order, swiftly followed by a second order, together worth over £60,000.
“Further repeat orders are guaranteed,” said the Armagh entrepreneur. “Being associated with a well-established US distributor offers huge growth potential, giving us ready access to a massive new customer base and boosting our products’ credibility.
“Previously, while we had managed individual sales to the US market, larger bulk orders were out of reach for us until now. With the council’s help and support, we were able to identify and meet face to face with a major US distributor in Vermont.
“Gaining a significant US foothold is real game changer for us," he said. "It’s given us the confidence to seek more distributors on the west coast, to extend our reach further and to double our sales by the end of next year.”
Nine other firms were involved in the trade mission, including Burren Balsamics, Envision Intelligent Solutions and Lough Neagh Distillers.
ABC Lord Mayor Mealla Campbell said: “Supporting ambitious local businesses which have the tenacity, drive and passion to innovate and export for success is vital as part of our own commitment to support our local economy, create investment and jobs.
“Our trade-focused mission to the US was tailor-made to provide the direct support our local companies need to achieve their export goals and I’m thrilled that Paul and the team have seized the opportunities it brought and I wish him continued success.”
