A local engineering company is rapidly making an impact in the agricultural and commercial sectors a short time after winning a major innovation award.

M-Tec Engineering which operates just across the Fermanagh Border at Drumconra, Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan, won the Enterprise Innovation Award 2022 after launching the first of their products over the past two years.

M-Tec Engineering is a family-run business established in 2019 by Adrian and his sister, Therese, along with their father, Danny.

Already established in the agricultural and engineering fields, the family members began the business believing there was an opening in the market for a range of high-quality trailers for both the agricultural, commercial and domestic sectors.

A family spokesperson said: “We have invested a lot into innovation in the last two years and thankfully it has paid off. We aimed to launch four new products this year (2022) and we made it happen.

"We are very proud of this and our team for all their hard work in achieving this.”

The company’s workshops are based in the rural area near Swanlinbar.

Therese, who is a Director of the company, said: “We are passionate about sustainability and we have invested in a PV solar system and a woodchip boiler to heat our premises so we are not dependent on oil prices.”

She also reinforced the contribution the firm makes to the local rural economy by giving employment to more than a dozen people, at present, with aspirations to increase this during 2023.

The range of trailers are available to customers through dealerships across Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The range of trailers begin with the Eco range of single-axle trailers, measuring 6x4 feet and 8x4 feet.

Next up is the range of general purpose twin-axle trailers, measuring 8.2x4.2 feet, 8x5 feet and 10x5 feet.

Two sizes of tipping trailers are available: 8x5 feet and 10x5.6 feet, the latter with a gross weight of 3,500kgs.

The livestock trailers come in the 12x6 feet version with plans to launch further models shortly.

Therese says the past year has been challenging, with rising input costs, but despite this, quality and competitiveness have not been compromised.

The trailers are ISO:9001 certified and some of the key features for the smaller trailer range include LED lighting, five-stud axles, ramp carriers, mesh sides and toolboxes.

The twin-axle trailers come with fully-welded chassis and sides to increase longevity.

The livestock trailer range has strong aluminium loading gates which they say are vital for farmers’ safety, with built-in LED lighting allowing for less risk of damage. A larger wheel and tyre size also allow for better towing experiences.

The trailer range received plenty of attention at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois last September where they were asked to exhibit in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, where they were visited by the Republic's Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

They also featured at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair at the Eikon Centre, Lisburn, on the stand of one of their dealerships, McMullen Agri.

This year, there are plans to exhibit at the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh.

There is also the potential for exports and this has already begun. A contract has been fulfilled for trailers in Australia and there is potential to grow this market.

As the company took its Christmas and New Year break, they did so with the delivery of a number of their livestock trailers to customers around Ireland.