A FLINTSHIRE firm has expanded its business into the Middle East for the first time, after securing a multi-million pound contract.

Hawarden-based Cokebusters is a manufacturing and service provider that specialises in the maintenance of furnace and fired heaters tubes at oil refineries across the world.

The company, a world leader in decoking and inspection operations, has seen its sales rise by 41 per cent in the last two years to more than £6 million, thanks to export sales, which make up 95 per cent of the firm’s trade.

The company currently exports to more than 20 countries, including the USA, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Greece, Kuwait, Italy and Spain, with its skilled engineers travelling to oil refineries across the world.

The new five-year contract in Abu Dhabi with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will provide pigging and de-scaling services for steam generators and boilers in the Middle East worth in excess of £7.5 million. The deal is an important step in Cokebusters’ international growth strategy, where the oil rich Middle East is a vital territory.

The move is another overseas success for the company, which has also renewed contracts with two major oil companies in Europe.

Duncan Cully, commercial manager at Cokebusters, said: “We’re very proud to sign a major contract in the Middle East.

“You can only grow so much in a limited market, which is why we have focused our growth overseas.

“We’re looking forward to expanding our business into even more territories as we continue to develop our machinery.”

Last year, Cokebusters received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade Category.

It was one of only 230 British companies to receive the prestigious prize, which is awarded to businesses for outstanding achievement in international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

Alongside Cokebusters’ headquarters in Hawarden, which employs 35 people, the company also has a base in the USA, enabling them to provide the highest quality service to oil refineries all over the world. The company increased its workforce by 15 per cent in the last year as export activities have continued to grow.

This year, the company expects to exceed its sales target of £7.5 million by at least 10-15 per cent thanks in large part to developing its export business.

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