Dungannon-based EvoQuip (www.terex.com/EvoQuip), a manufacturer of lifting and material-processing products, has signed up ELB Equipment Ltd to distribute its range of crushing and screening products in South Africa.

Martin Conway, EvoQuip’s international sales manager, said: “This contract is a momentous breakthrough in the growth of our business. Through Invest NI’s Trade Advisory Service, we were able to identify potential distributors in South Africa for our new product range.

“They helped us to line up a series of meetings with the right people and supported us with visits to the market, which helped to close this deal.

“Our first shipment of crushing and screening products has now been delivered to ELB in Johannesburg.”

Invest Northern Ireland’s executive director of international business, Steve Harper, said: “EvoQuip took part in a trade mission to South Africa in March last year, where it first made contact with ELB.

“With our support, the company made a number of follow-up visits to Johannesburg to discuss the terms of a distributor agreement. The commitment to repeat visits was key to converting the initial opportunity into a firm contract.”