Small firm secures global contract with FedEx.

AN ANGLESEY company - which is creating another 20 jobs - has signed an exclusive three year global supplier contract with logistics services firm FedEx Memphis.

Joloda International will provide FedEx's worldwide operations with roller bed systems for the fast and efficient loading and unloading of containers from their truck and trailers.

It is the second major contract recently secured by Joloda which designs, makes and installs a range of patented loading, handling and logistics systems for the transport, containerisation and industrial sectors.

Joloda, which has a design and manufacturing base on Gaerwen Industrial Estate, has also signed a pounds 1.6m deal to design and install a bespoke system for all Tasnee warehouses in Saudi Arabia as well as 30 specially fitted trailers and two docks.

Under the FedEx agreement Joloda has already supplied 250 systems this year into the USA as well to FedEx operations in Hong Kong, Brazil and Australia.

Managing director Wojtek Kordel said International Business Wales - the Welsh Assembly Government's overseas trade and investment arm - had been vital in securing both contracts.

"We are the global market leader in our field and supply a small niche market so expanding our exports is absolutely vital for our continued success.

We could not survive if we relied solely on the UK and European markets - we have to trade on the global market," he said.

"IBW has identified business opportunities for us, provided advice on export markets and helped us attend important trade fairs - where we made the initial contact with both FedEx and Tasnee."

Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Joloda is a small company with a global reach. These two contracts were secured by their Welsh facility. It is quite a remarkable achievement that this relatively small factory has the capability of supplying a global leader like FedEx."

Joloda International, which has headquarters in Liverpool, expanded into Wales five years ago when it acquired Hydraroll which was in receivership.

The acquisition and upgrading of the factory was supported by the Assembly Government and safeguarded 25 jobs.

The Gaerwen facility now employs 51 people and another 20 jobs are expected to be created within the next 18 months.

CAPTION(S):

Karen Williams from the Assembly Government's IBW team with Joloda MD, Wojtek Kordel and system creator and former company owner JE Richard Webb