its first international export order.

The firm will supply 44 pairs of Bermuda shutters to a customer in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands.

Bermuda Shutters owner Mr. Ross McPhee said the order was placed through a recently appointed agent in Florida, Can-Am Windoors.

Mr. McPhee said more export orders were expected soon.

"There are several other quotes outstanding with Can-Am for properties in Florida and the Bahamas,'' he said. "But this is the first order finalised for delivery before the end of the year.'' Mr. McPhee said he was seeking to broaden the markets available for his rigid vinyl products.

In addition to manufacturing rigid vinyl shutters on custom order, the firm also manufactures vinyl window and door frames through Bermuda Windoor Frames Ltd., an associated company currently in the process of being incorporated.

These window and door frames are sold exclusively by Bermuda-based SAL.

Bermuda Shutters is the only factory manufacturing rigid vinyl shutters in the Western Hemisphere, said Mr. McPhee. Raw material is imported to Bermuda from Italy.

"While this new successful export order is sincerely welcomed as a breakthrough for international sales, it does mean that larger stocks of material will have to be maintained,'' he said.

"As a result, I'm looking into the possibility of increasing my capital base by outside investment for both the long and short-term.''