A COLNE Valley manufacturing firm has landed a ground-breaking six-figure export contract.
Hystat Systems Ltd, based at Slaithwaite, will supply hydraulic equipment for a steel mill in China. It is the first time Hystat has secured a deal direct with China – having previously supplied products via third parties on a sub-contractor basis.
Managing director Ramon Wadsworth and technical director Chris Watson engineered the £642,000 deal to provide 10 sets of hydraulic cylinders and a spare for the steel rolling mill. The firm is working to complete the work on a 45-week deadline.
Mr Wadsworth said: “We have secured this contract by reputation and word-of-mouth. The Chinese asked us to quote for this work because they appreciate our technical expertise.
“This contract leads to the possibility of winning further work from the steel mill concerned in terms of repairs and refurbishment and – through their contacts – other firms in China. It is quite an opportunity for us.”
Hystat has supplied hydraulic equipment through third parties to end-users in China, Egypt, Russia, South Africa, Brazil and Iceland.
In the UK, the company supplies customers such as steel giant Corus in South Wales. It has also manufactured and fitted hydraulic systems for steelworks, swing bridges and submersibles for the offshore oil industry as well as stabilisers for ships.
Hystat Systems was formed 32 years ago and has been based at Slaithwaite for the past 26 years. The company employs 75 and has another 25 workers at sister firm Bank Bottom Engineering Services in Honley.
Mr Wadsworth said the company, with turnover totalling £7m – was increasing sales by about 20% a year. With its latest contract, the firm is gearing up for further work.
