Offaly snow-plough manufacturing company, Romaquip, has been named as one of two companies that have secured a £45stg million contract to supply a new fleet of winter service vehicles to the UK Highways Agency - the largest contract ever awarded by the Agency.

The contract is highly significant for the company as, in the first year alone, it will represent a 50% increase in Romaquip's annual production rate and the contract has the potential to quadruple the company's sales over a short period of time.

The framework contract will also be made available, under the Gershon scheme, to UK local authorities who wish to renew their own winter fleets.  This may lead to further sales above and beyond the £45m UK Highways Agency contract.

Romaquip, an Enterprise Ireland client company, is a manufacturer and supplier of road maintenance equipment, including salt gritters, salt spreaders, body swap systems and snow ploughs to Ireland, the UK and Continental European markets.
Congratulating Romaquip on winning the significant contract, An Tánaiste Mr Brian Cowen T.D. said:

"I wish to congratulate everyone involved in Romaquip on their success in being named one of two suppliers for the UK Highways Agency contract.  The securing of this very significant contract by Romaquip assures significant future growth for the company over the lifetime of the contract and also means they are now better placed to capitalise on future tenders of this nature. This is very good news for the company and also for Birr."

Barry Egan, Midlands Regional Director Enterprise Ireland added:

"Romaquip is a highly innovative engineering company and a prime example of the type of world-class manufacturing firms based throughout Ireland's regions.  This UK contract illustrates that Ireland's manufacturing and engineering sector is continuing to lead and compete successfully in international markets." 

Ray Leonard, Managing Director of Romaquip added:

"We are delighted to have secured this contract which will significantly drive the future growth of our company.  The contract represents over 50% of our annual production in the first year alone and has the potential to quadruple our revenues over a short period of time.  We therefore expect this contract to stimulate significant expansion of our operations and job creation as we increase capacity to meet the requirements of the contract."

Romaquip's Technical Director John McKeown said:

"We believe our strength lies in our emphasis on research and development. Coupled with continuous investment in ultra modern manufacturing technology, this will ensure we continue to meet all of our customers' production requirements."

-ends-

For Further Information:
Ciara O'Mahony
Press Officer
Enterprise Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Tel:    01-8082284
Mobile: 087 2043435