Container engineering, design and lease purchasing company Container Leasing UK Ltd is celebrating after securing a $5m contract with Containerships Ltd OY.

The Chepstow-based company was awarded the five-year contract to supply its Finnish customers with 750 specialised pallet shipping containers carrying everything from fireworks from China to bullion from Llantrisant.

Container Leasing UK Ltd was set up in 1997 and has seen consistent, sustainable growth, with a turnover of more than £8m in 2004.

The company, which specialises in bespoke shipping containers manufactured in China and shipped across the world, is a perfect example of a Welsh company embracing the impact China is making on the manufacturing industry.

Sales director Jim Lawn said: "Our expertise and experience has enabled us to win this large contract. The shipping industry is seeing great changes and opportunity as emphasis is being placed on increasing shipping transport and removing trailers from the highways. "As a direct reflection of this we have recently patented a new 45ft-long curtain-side container which will now enable goods normally transported exclusively by road to be easily transferred to a more environmentally friendly barge, rail or sea transport mode, with only the final short local delivery requiring road transport."

Derek John, Barclays sales and asset finance relationship director for Wales, said: "This contract is a great example of a company using Barclays' worldwide expertise to its benefit. "This deal is unique as we are providing asset finance for assets which ultimately never belong to our customer or ever touch the UK. "By working closely and really understanding the business, Barclays has been able to support Container Leasing UK Ltd in obtaining this contract and developing our relationship with this well-managed and successful business."