County Antrim Trailer Manufacturer SDC has been awarded Northern Ireland’s top manufacturing company at the Made in Northern Ireland Awards held in Belfast’s Europa Hotel Thursday night.
The privately owned trailer manufacturer was recognized for its ongoing achievements in the manufacturing industry, and the contribution the company has made locally and internationally from its Northern Ireland based production facilities. SDC Trailers is part of the Retlan Manufacturing Group.
In 2014 the trailer manufacturer increased production by 30% following a number of sizeable orders from local and international markets. Sales are projected to increase by £40 million to £170 million ($184.5) for 2014 – 2015. The SDC Group currently employs over 900 and has hired 300 since the downturn in 2009.
SDC Trailers have been serving the road transport and logistics industry since 1978. It operates four manufacturing plants with a total of more than 500,000 square feet of production space. Products include flatbeds, container chassis, curtainsiders, van trailers, and car transporters.
The manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland generates annual sales approaching £20 billion ($21.7 billion). Northern Ireland directly employs 80,000 people. SDC will now go forward to compete against the best in the in the National Made in the UK awards.