Retlan Manufacturing: Toombridge-based firm sold to Chinese firm for undisclosed sum

Retlan Manufacturing trades as SDC Trailers and is based in Toomebridge

One of Northern Ireland's largest manufacturing firms has been sold to a Chinese company.

Retlan Manufacturing, which trades as SDC Trailers, has been bought by CIMC Vehicles for an undisclosed sum.

Retlan is based in Toomebridge, County Antrim, and also has a plant in Nottinghamshire.

The company employs 950 people and showed an annual profit of £8.5m in its last accounts.

It makes lorry trailers and its customers include major supermarkets.

The firm was majority-owned by JJ Donnelly and his family while chief executive Mark Cuskeran also held a significant stake.

CIMC Vehicles is part of a manufacturing group based in Shenzhen which has an annual turnover of about £8bn.

The existing management team of Retlan will remain in place.