Newtown based Zip-Clip is celebrating after its products have been approved for use on a prestigious $5.5 billion urban regeneration project in Qatar following a Welsh Government trade mission.
Zip-Clip operates in a niche market manufacturing high quality wire suspension systems that speed up the installation of electrical, mechanical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning services.
Their products have not only been approved by the Arab Engineering Bureau for use in the Doha redevelopment and regeneration project but the company has also designed, developed and dispatched some bespoke systems to tackle a particularly tricky problem.
Zip-Clip had to find a way of suspending projectors in a number of the new museums built in the cultural quarter that have wicker ceilings. As nothing could be fixed to these ceilings the company had to design and develop a special system to overcome the problem and shipped out their first order in January.
The company gained official approval for their products after taking part in a Welsh Government trade mission to Qatar last September when it also benefited from in-market consultancy support through the Welsh Government’s International Trade Opportunities programme.
” Visiting Qatar opened up new opportunities for Zip-Clip” says Steve Goldsworthy Managing Director. “It’s important that we explore new markets and with help from the Welsh Government we have been able to break new ground in securing an order for four new Qatari Museums within the Msheireb Town Project, probably the most prestigious project in Qatar.
“As a result of the trade mission our systems are now being recognised by other consultants who are working towards 2022 World Cup and we are confident this will lead to new orders. We also plan to build on this success and revisit Qatar in Q2 of 2014.”
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:” This is a prime example of how the Welsh Government is helping innovative Welsh companies break into new markets and open up new business opportunities. I’m also very pleased that our international trade programmes are providing the support, knowledge and know-how that businesses need to break into new markets and I am delighted to hear of Zip-Clip’s success.”