THE Irish mobile phone antenna maker, Sigma Wireless, is planning an expansion into the Chinese market following the takeover of a British company with an operation there. The Finglas based firm said last night it had acquired Antenna Products, of Buckinghamshire, from liquidation and, including a redevelopment programme, the investment would total £1 million.

The new British company will be called Sigma Wireless (UK), and its Chinese operation will be known as Sichuan Sigma Wireless, the firm said.

The Asian company, trading from Chengdu in the centre of China, is 30 per cent owned by a local, joint venture partner.

"Our Chinese operation will deliver long term benefits to us in the Asia Pacific market which has the potential to be the fastest growing mobile communications market in the world," said Mr Tony Boyle, chairman of Sigma.

The British company had led many technological developments, Mr Boyle added, and Sigma would retain its key staff.

The company said production of antenna for mobile phones in its Dublin plant had reached 60,000 a week.