Major opportunities for local firms to develop trading links with Estonia have been identified by Keighley Business Forum - and a pioneering trade mission to the country is being planned for Sept-ember.

The mission will be spearheaded by Estonian company Indrek Lee International, which last year established the country's first ever business subsidiary in the UK when it took a presence at KBF's Aire Valley Business Centre headquarters.

Based in Tartu, Estonia's second city, the company was attracted to Keighley through KBF's inward investment programme. It seeks to develop an import/export and consultancy bridge bet-ween the UK, Russia and the former Soviet Union countries.

Its expansion in the UK is being led by Urmet Lee, whose father Indrek is managing director of the Estonian operation. Urmet returns to Keighley later this month for a six-week visit, during which he will develop existing relationships and make arrangements for the trade mission.

Details of the mission will be revealed to interested local companies at a presentation on June 24 at the Aire Valley Business Centre. Trading opportunities have already been identified for firms involved in wood, raw materials, construction, textiles, agricultural products, logistics, automotive and tourism.

Lesley Ord of KBF says: "We anticipate significant interest in the Estonian trade mission. With its geographical location the country offers unique possibilities for companies to establish a presence before entering the Scandinavian, Baltic or Russian markets.

"The development of the Estonian economy has been quickly re-arranged from the old Soviet-type economy to a free market economy."

Full details of the presentation on June 24 are available from Lesley on 01535 671870.

Record

sales

Oakworth-based SA Labels has achieved record sales in a year which saw major investment in new technology. Turnover grew by more than 12 per cent to £4.5 million.

SA Labels employs 55 people and has a range of Flexo and Letterpress equipment, but much of its success is based on the performance of its state of the art eight-colour Nilpeter combination press.

Most significant development of the year was the launch of a revolutionary new system for the cold transfer of foil on to labels, making the process quicker and cheaper than traditional hot foil methods.

The system, subject to an exclusivity agreement, has attracted the attention of consumer product manufacturers and distributors wanting high quality decorative labels.

SA Labels managing director Roman Luczyn says: "Our continued growth is the result of a policy of investment and dedicated commitment to our customers."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.