Australian deal gives business a shot of success

A SPECIALIST distributor is clearing the way for success down under after securing a major deal in Australia.

Heatshot, based in Leeds, has secured a 12-month agreement to provide its product, of the same name, to one of the largest suppliers of fleet truck parts in the world – PACCAR Parts.

The deal is worth over $1m in turnover per year for Heatshot Australasia, Heatshot’s partner company, and will see the firm supply its innovative heated windscreen washer system, which product improves road safety by using hot water to clear windscreens of ice, dust, insects and other debris more quickly than conventional cold washer systems, to the Australian business.

Heatshot landed the deal after working closely with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), which supported Heatshot in setting up a partner company in Melbourne to handle the Australian side of its business.

Simon Young, sales and marketing director of Heatshot, said: “Although we already had export arrangements in place with a number of countries, agreeing the deal with PACCAR has opened up a whole new market to us.

“There is a real demand for a product like Heatshot in Australia – in particular, there is a large mining industry there, and the trucks that go into the mines come out covered in debris. Red dust and mosquitos also accumulate on windscreens and can be difficult to clean off quickly.

“UKTI were a big support in helping us set up our partnership business in Australia and secure the deal, giving us advice and helping us research the marketplace.”

Heatshot was founded in 2010 with three full-time members of staff, having secured exclusive rights to distribute the product, which is manufactured in the USA, to the European market. Since then, the company has agreed franchise deals in 17 countries, including Turkey, Sweden and Germany. It is also in discussions with potential partners in New Zealand and Canada, and are working to expand the UK side of the business through the car dealership network.

Mark Robson, regional director for UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Australia offers some great opportunities for British businesses, and we are pleased that with our support, companies like Heatshot are benefiting.

“Even in tough times, many local businesses are seizing the opportunity to expand abroad and we hope that Heatshot’s story will inspire other companies to follow in their footsteps.”