Escea worker Bruce Ralph (second from left) shows the
construction of a DV Fire Box to (from left) managing
director Nigel Bamford, finance minister Bill English and
National MP Michael Woodhouse during the official opening
of Escea gas fire's new manufacturing plant in Green
Island, Dunedin, yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Dunedin gas fire manufacturer and exporter Escea New
Zealand opened its new $4 million-plus Green Island premises
yesterday with about 200 guests from around New Zealand and
Australia.
The single-storey, purpose-built open-span factory doubles
Escea's floor space to 3000sq m, not including offices, and
has the potential to allow for four-fold manufacturing
expansion in the future if required.
Escea marketing manager Mark Cowden said exports, which
accounted for 30% of sales, were growing especially well in
Australia, with good in-roads made into Canada and the United
Kingdom.
However, the United States was still proving a "big
challenge" for Escea.
"Domestically [70% of output] we're always looking to
increase our share," Mr Cowden said.
Fifteen Australian distributors and dealers had arrived in
Dunedin this week, and dealers and suppliers from around New
Zealand were among the 200-strong guest list.
Escea began manufacturing in 2005, at its former Devon St
premises, and employs 44 people.
This financial year the company is expecting modest growth on
last year's turnover of almost $10 million.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.