Monaghan-based forklift manufacturer Combilift has won the title of Best Overall Exporter to Germany in an awards ceremony last night.

The awards, jointly made by Enterprise Ireland and the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce, coincide with the 50th anniversary of the opening of Ireland's first trade office in Frankfurt in 1962.

Other award winners were Naas-based Dennison Trailers, which won the Best Emerging Exporter category, and Cupprint from Ennis, Co Clare, which won the award for the Best German Online Presence. The Irish Dairy Board received a special award in recognition of its outstanding performance over 40 years in the German market.

Chamber president Ralf Zimmermann emphasised the opportunities for Irish companies in Germany. "With a total population of 80 million, Germany is an excellent target market for Irish exporters," he said.