Local engineer expands with key global deal
A GREATER Manchester-based engineering and fastening business has accelerated its growth in the Middle East and the US with a number of key deals.
Francis Kirk Group, which is headquartered in Denton, Tameside, services a range of industries including automotive, rail, oil, mining and earth-moving machinery.
The company, which already has a distribution deal in Iran with Tehran-based Alipoor Company, is now working with Integrated Auto Supplies in Dubai.
In the US, its self-locking nut Philidas – with multiple industrial uses – is now being stocked by the largest engineering component distributor in North America.
The company has also signed an agreement with a German-based firm that specialises in distribution into and out of the automotive and oil and gas industries in the Middle East. In the last three-years, the group’s exports have grown and now accounts for almost 40 per cent of turnover.
European business is also still strong and expanding and the company is on track to move from £4.75m to £7m turnover by the end of the year with export playing a major role in growth.
Managing director Tom Kirk said of its work in Iran: “It does business differently and we have had to learn how to manage that.
“We have been patient though, the opportunities to quote have come in and we’ve landed some sizeable orders in the last few months.
“I will be going out again to Tehran to visit customers there in the autumn.” The Dubai partners will also be focused on the automotive sector whereas the US deal is most likely to unlock rail business initially.
The distribution partner is a major supplier to rail giants Bombardier worldwide, which also happens to be an existing UK customer of Francis
Kirk. Tom added: “There are plenty of opportunities to build on existing relationships and look for new customers in the US. “We have been keen to work with this particular distributor for some time – it’s a large multiple office organisation, serving thousands of US companies, including important rail customers. “It will help us build share in the States.”