A LANDMARK government building designed and made in Dorset has opened 5,000 miles away in the capital of Belize in Central America.

Structural steel firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) manufactured steel sections in Christchurch before shipping them to Belmopan.

They were used to build the government of Belize’s new headquarters for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration.

REIDsteel – which has exported to more than 140 countries – also provided glazing and cladding.

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Pepe Oliva, business development manager at REIDsteel, said: “The new headquarters is a very smart building which creates an excellent first impression.

“We used perforated aluminium panelling in a variety of shapes and sizes on its façade to create a contemporary yet corporate look worthy of its status as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new headquarters.

“It was a pleasure to work with our local partners on this landmark project in a country and region where we have such strong relationships.

“It is nice to think that steel from Dorset is now on the other side of the world having travelled more than 5,000 miles by sea.

“Logistically, it is a tried and tested process with sections fabricated at our manufacturing facility in Christchurch, packed in shipping containers on site and then transported by road to the appropriate port for shipping.”

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REIDsteel worked with Belize’s design, build and architecture firm International Environments Limited on the project.

The 130-strong Christchurch business used 65 tonnes of steel, including 12 tonnes of cold rolled steel, with products from its preferred supplier British Steel.

A total of 32 shipping containers were used to transport the sections to Belize, where they were assembled by International Environments Ltd.

Like REIDsteel’s other structures in the region, the new offices were designed to be earthquake and hurricane resistant.

REIDsteel’s other projects in the Caribbean and Central America have included the 32.9million Belize dollars (£12.7m) Belize Civic Center in 2017.