Equi-Trek Ltd

A COMPANY supplying horse transporters is taking big strides into Europe.

Equi-Trek Ltd, which employs 48 people at premises in Bent Ley Road, Meltham has opened dealerships in France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Scandinavia – and has been rewarded with rapidly rising sales.

Managing director Raymond Janion said: "In 2008, our export sales were approximately £500,000.

"For 2009 up to the end of July, the figure is already more than £2m.

"Our focus over the next 12 months is expanding our European dealership network, which will bring a large increase in sales."

Mr Janion added: "We are currently working towards international standard ISO9001 and European approvals, which will strengthen our position in Europe. 2010 will see the launch of a new light-weight trailer.

"Our vehicles are now used by many international competitors both at home and abroad."

Top equestrian competitors to use Equi-Trek’s products include local rider John Whitaker.

Mr Janion said the company had developed a range of horse trailers and transporters to take the industry into the 21st century.

He said: "Our success is due to innovative products, a desire for excellence and an outstanding team of employees who are always prepared to go the extra mile.

"We are one of the few manufacturing companies who are expanding in the present economic climate and our potential for future growth is outstanding."

Newsholme Food Group

A FAMILY firm is taking top quality meat products to hungry customers across Europe.

Newsholme Food Group, which started in 1950 as T E Newsholme Ltd with a single butcher’s shop, is now racking up its export efforts following the opening of a new £3.7m extension to its premises at New Hey Road, Oakes.

Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke officially opened the new development, which also enabled the firm to increase employee numbers by 25 to stand at more than 200.

Newsholme, which includes the Country Park Foods brand as well as frozen ready meals operations CPS Foods and Oakes Fine Foods, has set up a distribution network to take its products into mainland Europe as well as across the UK.

The extension, designed to house the cooked meats division, means output of cooked ham can increase from 70 tonnes to 200 tonnes a week.

There are also plans to open another site to house a cold store and ready-meal factory, freeing the existing site to focus on cooked meats.

Newsholme supplies customers including Makro, Heron Frozen Foods, J&S Foods, Leeds Bacon and Batley’s Cash and Carry.

But it is looking to expand into new markets, including ones overseas.

The company aims to target new markets with an appearance at the 2010 Food and Drink Expo at Birmingham’s NEC next March.

Managing director John Newsholme said: "We already produce Yorkshire Premium Ham, which has won awards from the British Pig Executive along with our sausages and black pudding. It’s a market we have been asked to look at by some of our customers in Ireland."

Severn Unival

A GO-AHEAD engineering company in Huddersfield is spanning the globe.

Severn Unival manufactures, supplies and services highly specialised valves for the gas and oil industry worldwide from its premises at Milford Street, Huddersfield.

Director Colin Findlay said: "Milford Street is the nerve centre of the company’s sophisticated global operation.

"The majority of Severn Unival’s income derives from projects and commissions in far flung corners of the glob, including the remotest regions of the North Sea, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

"However, the headquarters and engineering talent have always been embedded in Huddersfield."

Mr Findlay said the past 18 months had brought "significant benefits" for the business.

"Activity in the Middle East, Asia and North America is accelerating and there are strong indicators for additional growth in coming years," he said.

Its current overseas activities include the appointment of its first Middle East regional manager through specialist division Severn Quantapoint and a significant laser scanning project in Thailand.

As exploration around Canada’s east coast continues to uncover potential large scale reserves of oil and gas, Severn Unival is set to extend its presence in the region though its design consultancy Design Paradigm.

Severn Unival, which employs 134 people, has also secured two significant service contracts for well-known UK and Middle East oil companies – and is bidding for two further North Sea contracts.

Mr Findlay said the company was winning work due to its competitive pricing and the quality of its products as well as the level of after-sales support and the dedication of its project co-ordinators.