Rhodes' China work pays off

MACHINE manufacturer Group Rhodes has won a $3m (£1.85m) contract with a Chinese aerospace supplier.

The Wakefield-based company, which makes machines for a range of sectors including waste, automotive, and oil and gas, agreed a deal with Xinhang Aeronautical Machinery Corporation, a second tier supplier to the aerospace industry, which was highlighted during David Cameron's trade mission to the Communist nation.

Xinhang, based in the suburbs of Beijing, is part of the Aviation Industries of China, which focuses on large and medium-sized aircraft. Group Rhodes is a preferred supplier of superplastic forming presses.

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The deal comes after Group Rhodes made several visits to China over the last two years, with the firm's technical director travelling there for the signing of the contract next month.

Mark Ridgway, managing director of the firm, said it had been a "difficult market to crack" but regular trips and sponsorship of industry seminars have helped it to succeed.

Mr Cameron and George Osborne, the Chancellor, flew to China yesterday as part of the largest UK Government and business delegation ever to visit the Far Eastern giant.

Mr Cameron described the visit as a "vitally important trade mission" for the British economy and deals worth millions of pounds to British firms were announced.

Group Rhodes, which earlier this year won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in recognition of its innovation, exports to 30 countries including India, Japan, Egypt and the US.