A Co Antrim company has won and completed its first export business from a bus company in Turkey.

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland, Ballymena-based firm Aerosubs has supplied a consignment of emergency doors to Temsa in Adana, a major bus builder and a leading industrial group in Turkey.

Aerosubs received marketing advice and support in identifying the new business through an Invest NI backed export development programme.

Commenting on the deal, Managing Director of Aerosubs, David Andrews said: "We had been seeking to expand our business beyond the UK and Ireland and had carried out some initial market research with help from Invest NI. A number of potential customers in bus building were pinpointed in Turkey including Temsa.

'We met Temsa managers at a major exhibition in Belgium and started a dialogue, which led to an offer of business.

"Temsa required emergency doors urgently for a contract in Europe and asked if we could design, manufacture and deliver an initial batch within two weeks. This was just before the Christmas period, so we pulled out all the stops and delivered the doors on time and to the agreed price.

"As a result, we are now talking to the company about further business," he said.

Dr Vicky Kell, Trade Director at Invest NI, added: "Aerosubs has made excellent use of our mentoring support and is now positioned to win further export business in Turkey and other parts of Europe. It is demonstrating an impressive determination to win business abroad and has approached the Turkish market in particular in a structured manner."

(NS/GK)