Belfast based Ripfactory are developing and promoting a new product, the CD2 (CD Squared) retail kiosk.

The CD2 enables the customer to purchase a CD in a shop and transfer the music onto their MP3 player or mobile phone at the point of purchase.

Ripfactory develops hardware and software solutions for transferring digital music and films from CDs and DVDs to MP3 players and home entertainment systems.

Patrick McGrath, Managing Director of Ripfactory, said: “The CD2 retail kiosk was launched in London in late June. With the help of Invest NI, we have established distribution channels through sales teams in the US and Canada. Other exports are continuing to rise steadily, particularly in France and Italy, as well as in markets such as South Africa and Dubai.”

Invest NI’s support of nearly £100,000 has helped with research and development and marketing, as well as assistance to participate on trade missions in the United States and Europe.

Maurice Patterson, Invest NI’s Eastern Regional Office Manager, said: “Ripfactory is a company which has fully embraced the concept of innovation. Its original Ripstation product was highly successful, but the management has continued to seek new solutions and a different way of doing things, which has culminated in the development of the CD2 kiosk. Furthermore, the company is benefiting from the high level of skills in Northern Ireland as it develops more new products in order to keep ahead of competition.”

Mr McGrath added: “We are currently in talks with major music retailers and are in the process of securing the placement of the kiosk in music retail stores nationwide.”

(SB/SP)