Royal customer sparks export increase for manufacturer

MANUFACTURER of catering equipment, Victor Manufacturing, has seen a 60% increase in export sales for the financial year to date.

Sales of equipment into the Middle East are the driving force behind the figures which have shot from £250,000 to £400,000 in the last twelve months.

Victor was named as an official supplier to the Sultan of Oman in September 2014 and is contracted to provide barracks catering equipment to the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The firm also supplies Abu Dhabi schools, and Dubai hotels.

These business wins coincide with Victor’s strong sales in the domestic market, driven by growth in the education sector following the introduction of Universal Infant Free School Meals and expansion in the retail counters market.

To meet unprecedented demand from customers overseas and in the UK, Victor has expanded its manufacturing space by acquiring additional premises close to its headquarters. The 9,000 sq. ft building comprises office and factory facilities and is being utilised for retail and commercial counter assembly.

Andrew Gibson, sales director, said: “Victor Manufacturing has been designing and building catering equipment in Britain for over 70 years and we’re proud to be exporting our British made products around the world.

“Sales into new territories is an exciting part of our expansion and these contracts demonstrate our expertise and capabilities in the public, education and hospitality sectors. Building strong links with customers overseas through our distributor partners, and adapting our processes so we can respond quickly to customers’ specific needs are central to our success. By growing our factory facilities, increasing headcount and extending shifts we have been able to meet high demand from customers across the globe.

“Victor has earned a reputation for excellent service and consistent product quality and we plan to build on this export success by increasing our market share outside the UK in the year ahead”.

Victor Manufacturing is predicting a record year of growth and will release its 2014/2015 results in the coming months.