While on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to France, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, TD, has announced €12.9 worth of contracts for Irish agricultural technology companies.
Bruton embarked on a three-day trade mission to France on Saturday, along with representatives from 36 Irish companies and Enterprise Ireland CEO Frank Ryan, and yesterday he announced a number of significant sales contracts from Enterprise Ireland client companies and French partners.
Dromone, based in Oldcastle, Co Meath, secured a €9.7m contract with France’s largest exporter of agricultural products, AGCO Group.
Agricultural manufacturing company Samco signed a €220,000 contract with Cavac. The French co-op will now be the sole distributor of the Limerick-based company’s machines and degradable plastic film in the Vendée region (west France).
Finally, Dairymaster from Tralee, Co Kerry, signed an exclusive contract with Genes Diffusion expected to achieve €3m in sales in a collaboration that will allow Dairymaster to deliver world-class dairy equipment with Genes Diffusion’s fertility management system.
“I am delighted to announce €12.9m in new business in France for these three companies,” said Bruton. “Central to the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is creating a powerful engine of indigenous business, and today’s announcement shows what is possible for innovative exporting companies operating in growth sectors. These are significant contract wins for ambitious, outward-focused Irish firms and clearly demonstrate Ireland’s international reputation as a source of high quality products in the agri-technology sector.”
“France is the third-largest export market for Irish-owned SMEs and, with an impressive 14pc growth rate in 2011, it presents significant opportunities for increased trade and partnerships between Irish and French companies,” said Ryan.
“Approximately 60pc of these Irish companies are focused on the agri-food industry, especially agricultural machinery and technology. This trade mission is about building on that success and supporting Irish companies to win more business and thereby increase exports, which will directly sustain and create jobs in Ireland,” Ryan added.
Agricultural technology image via Shutterstock
