BELFAST construction supply firm Ridgeway has projected significant growth in 2022 after acquiring the European rights to distribute ‘filter units’ for offshore marine and civil engineering works.
The company, which was founded in 1969, has held the UK and Ireland distribution licence for Japanese manufacturer Kyowa’s ‘filter units’ since 2009, completing contracts for a number of major offshore energy projects.
Ridgeway last year acquired Kyowa’s European and African distribution rights for the product, known in Europe as ‘rockbags’, resulting in a 40 per cent jump in sales.
The Belfast supplier said it’s expecting the growth to continue into 2022.
Rockbags are mainly used for protecting underwater cables and pipelines, as well as stabilising structures. Essentially a mesh bag filled with rocks, they are also a popular choice for preventing flood and bridge scour.
Ridgeway said the versatility of the product has made it very popular in off shore projects, with European energy giants EDF, SSE, Orsted and E.ON among its customers.
Managing director Stephen Kane said: "From a starting point over fifty years ago in traditional building supplies, Ridgeway has become a supply chain partner of choice for companies operating in a range of sectors including construction, engineering and offshore marine.?
“Working with top tier clients including major contractors and utility providers across the UK and Ireland, we have experienced exponential growth?and are ramping up our service offering across Europe to meet demand.? With two stock and filling locations in Norway already well established we are experiencing increased demand for these patented protected solutions.
“The acquisition of rockbags has seen our turnover rise by 40 per cent and allowed us to expand into other countries, establishing solid product performance on multimillion-pound projects and paving the way for more work from similar schemes across Europe, Africa and beyond."
Anne Beggs, director of trade and investment at Invest NI, said:? "Ridgeway is a fantastic example of a local family-owned company which takes a strategic and ambitious approach to its growth locally, nationally and internationally.
“We have worked closely with the company to support its business growth, offering advice and support to help establish the company in the international renewable energy sector.
“Our on-going trade support will assist Ridgeway to take this deal even further and maximise export sales across Europe.”
