Dundonald-based pharmaceutical manufacturing firm Sepha will be heading to China for the first time later this year as part of its bid to win new business in overseas markets.

The company, which makes inspection equipment to test the seals of pharmaceutical and medical device blister packs and other specialist products, has already shown its machines in Japan and Mexico this summer.

The firm will also be returning to India in the autumn.

The company currently employs 18 people and three executive directors and its customers already include some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies.

Its turnover has increased 60% since management bought it out with the help of private equity firm Enterprise Equity in 2005, the company said.

Enterprise Equity is one of Northern Ireland’s longest established private equity businesses. It has invested over £27m in around 40 firms since its formation in 1987 in a broad spectrum of sectors. Other firms in its portfolio include Balcas, Kelsius and BCO Technologies. Sepha has made some headway in Japan with the help of an Invest NI-Enterprise Ireland service that offers on-the-ground translator services and helps develop sales leads.