An Ipswich knife sterilising firm is set to boost its turnover by a quarter after clinching a contract in Poland.

UV Safe, based at Ipswich marina, was launched in 2016 and manufactures knife sterilising equipment for the food and catering industries across the UK.

It has significant orders with brands including ABP Food Group, one of Europe’s largest food processors, and recently secured its first international order in Poland. It plans to target the US, Canada and New Zealand in the next 12 months.

The £250,000 turnover company has been helped by a £100,000 factoring finance facility from banking provider Lloyds Bank as it targets national and international markets for its products.

Managing director Paul Anderson said there has been a high level of demand in the UK and abroad for the product, as using UVC light is more efficient and cheaper to operate than relying on hot water.

“The team at Lloyds Bank has helped us transform our technology into a profitable business. Having someone at the other end of the phone who really understood our product and aspirations for it was comforting. It also gave us the confidence we needed to invest in our operations to meet growing demand,” he added.

Keith Brevington, regional manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “UV Safe has gone from strength to strength. The product is incredibly innovative and a step forward for the food industry.”