Londonderry engineering firm E&I Engineering have revealed that they has been awarded a contract by Canary Wharf worth £2 million.

The contract, won by the IDB-backed firm, means that E&I Engineering will supply the firm’s own electrical sub-stations for the London banking and lifestyle complex.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey has broadly welcomed the news, citing the investment as a “strategically important success” for NI’s technology export market.

The Minister said: "This is a success for an ambitious locally-owned engineering company which is now positioned for further growth. It also shows their wholehearted commitment to new product development for existing and potential customers in markets outside Northern Ireland.”

The design and testing of the product was aided by a grant from the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) Compete Programme and was manufactured in E&I’s Springtown Industrial Estate factory.

The contract followed just two months after the completion of the Compete Programme and is set to boost both profits and jobs at the firm which currently employs 100 people.

Philip O’Doherty, Managing Director of E&I Engineering, said: “Obviously we are delighted with the immediate success of our new product. We saw that there was a need for a flexible modular system but without IRTU’s aid we would have been unable to develop and test it.

“The help that we have received from both IDB and IRTU’s Compete Programme has allowed us to increase our presence internationally and will help secure jobs here in Derry.

“Canary Wharf is a prestigious project and we are extremely pleased that they have chosen our substations above our competitors.” (AMcE)