The new deal will make Ring-Gard the sole Irish distributor of the company's smoke control product range and marks the first foray into exporting for the Tredomen-headquartered firm.

The arrangement will generate at least £500,000 in revenue for the firm in the first year and the deal forms a key part of its strategy to double turnover to £15m by 2010. 
 
Smoke Control Services currently supplies leading blue-chip contractors with one-stop-shop smoke control and ventilation solutions for multi-storey residential, commercial and retail developments across the UK.

Smoke Control Services Managing Director Allan Meek commented:

"Building and fire regulations in Ireland are very similar to those in the UK so it was a natural progression for us to expand into this potentially highly lucrative market. We estimate the market for smoke control systems in Ireland is worth up to £15m so it makes good business sense for us to take advantage of the opportunities this offers."

Ring-Gard, established in 1967, is Ireland's leading service and installation provider for a wide range of security and fire solutions with a product portfolio that includes smoke and fire doors and shutters. Its tie-up with Smoke Control Services will enable the company to offer its extensive blue-chip client base a wide range of natural and automated smoke control and ventilation systems for the first time.

Ring-Gard Managing Director Tadhg Twomey commented:

"With the popularity of apartment living on the increase across Ireland and the proliferation of high rise commercial premises across key towns and cities, there is a huge demand in the market for smoke control systems. Moving into this high-value building safety sector will enable us to enhance our product offering and build on our already well-established brand."

Smoke Control Services was established in 1992 and has built a strong word-of-mouth reputation for technical excellence, innovation and quality.

Some of the company's long-standing clients include housebuilder Taylor Woodrow, supermarket chain Morrisons, high street store Woolworths and commercial property developers Rightacres. Landmark projects recently undertaken by the firm include the London Transport Museum and Victoria Wharf residential development in Cardiff Bay. Recent contract wins include providing a smoke control system to the new Media Wales office development in central Cardiff, and to White City, a new £1.6 billion shopping mall at Shepherd's Bush set to become London's biggest shopping centre when it opens its doors this year.

The company is also providing a smoke control system to Callaghan Square, a new commercial premises development set to provide more than half a million square feet of office space in central Cardiff.

Managing Director Allan Meek said:

"Expanding into the Irish market marks an exciting new phase for the company's growth. We are currently developing a system which is non-regulation specific and will therefore conform to any country's building or fire safety regulations which we hope to launch in Dubai towards the end of this year. This will enable us to venture into international markets and will be a key driver in helping us to achieve our ambitious growth targets."

For further information please log onto www.smokecontrol.co.uk.