Boiler maker lands orders from New Zealand
A Shropshire boiler manufacturer has won its second order in New Zealand in six months as it looks to grow sales outside Europe.
Telford-based Mistral Boilers has secured the order, having looked to broaden its horizons as the future Britain's relationship with the EU remains unclear.
It also expects to win more business in Australia before the year is out, and remains in talks with other potential overseas customers.
Uncertainty
Managing director Jim Wright said: "We secured an order from New Zealand earlier this year and given the uncertainty both ahead and after the Brexit vote, we have put in place a strategy to investigate new markets outside of the Eurozone for our products.
"This has led to us winning our second order from New Zealand in the last six months and the latest order actually tops the total number of exports we did to Europe for the whole of last year.
"Brexit represents an exciting opportunity for manufacturers, particularly small and medium sized businesses like Mistral which do not have a base within mainland Europe. I think all exporting SMEs should be looking to both new and emerging markets but also established markets such as Australia, the US and the Middle East."
Halesfield-based Mistral is one of the five biggest oil-fired boiler manufacturers in the UK, alongside household names such as Worcester Bosch and Grant UK. The sector in the UK is currently enjoying a resurgence with sales up between eight and 10 per cent on last year.
Mr Wright added: "Global oil prices have fallen which is making an enormous difference to oil using households, both here and abroad.
"Many people are saving hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills. Oil is now by far the cheapest major heating fuel, with typical annual costs currently around £793 a year.
"We are looking to develop our overseas sales in markets where, like New Zealand, there are a vast number of homes off gas grid and in rural or remote areas."
