An entrepreneur has given a new twist to sending coals to Newcastle.
Stuart Turner has sold a machine, which helps cafés and delis to roll their own sushi, to Japan. Other countries the device has been exported to include France, Spain and Sweden. It also sells direct to Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.
His company Sushi Machines Ltd, of Oak Business Park between Hoyle Mill and Stairfoot, has designed, developed and manufactured the 'Roller-35' - which enables novices to create perfect 35mm-diameter sushi rolls in minutes.
The launch of the patented gadget makes the company the first sushi machine manufacturing company in Europe. It is a 'spin-out' company of Sushisushi Ltd, which Stuart set up in 2007.
Sushisushi employs five and has increased sales by 50 per cent year on year for the past three years, with turnover reaching £750,000 this year.
