Town firm wins $3m orders from Gulf region
From left, Mr Nick Coburn, managing director, Ulster Carpets , Mr Samer A Samad, NESMA, Mr Ahmed Nour Regional Sales Manager - Middle East Ulster Carpets, Dr Richard Stewart, Group Technical Director Ulster Carpets
ULSTER Carpets has received orders worth $3 million over the Christmas period from the Gulf region, which is enough carpet to cover 15 rugby pitches.
The company, based at Garvaghy Road, recently hosted Samer A Samad, manager of construction at NESMA & Partners Contracting Ltd in Saudi Arabia, during which an order for four new hotels, including world-renowned hospitality groups Hilton and Marriott, at Mecca in Saudi Arabia was finalised.
This contract, in addition to already secured orders received from all five continents of the world, including several large casinos in Las Vegas, will ensure that the Portadown-based manufacturer continues to operate at optimum production capacity well into 2013.
Ulster Carpets’ business in the Gulf region has continued to develop strongly and owes much to significant investments in the area, including the establishment of an office in Dubai, during an unstable global environment following the financial crash of 2008.
This venture was facilitated by Invest NI, who assisted with varying aspects of Ulster Carpets expansion to the area, including office space at its Technology and Development Centre in Dubai, as well as trade missions in this important region to pinpoint and exploit the huge business opportunities that exist there.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said, “Once again, Ulster Carpets has secured a significant contract in a key export market. This success can only further cement its position as a global leader in the development of high quality carpets for the competitive hospitality and cruise industries.
“The Gulf region offers vast opportunities for local businesses and Ulster Carpets has an impressive track record in developing trade opportunities there. My department and Invest NI are fully committed to supporting local companies as they seek contracts in this and other global markets.”
The Minister concluded, “Ulster Carpets has made extensive and effective use of Invest NI trade missions to develop contacts, particularly with interior design consultancies, in key export markets. It is encouraging to see many other businesses following their example, by focusing on a market which offers such huge opportunities.”
Nick Coburn, managing director at Ulster Carpets, commented, “Our market is a global one and we face severe competition from low cost labour countries in Asia. The ability of Ulster Carpets to effectively compete on a worldwide scale as the premium supplier is a result of our constant endeavour to exceed customer expectations, push the boundaries of design and embrace innovative technology, in addition to our continual drive to improve productivity and quality.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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