Europe’s biggest trailer maker will help lead rural Wales out of the recession.

That’s the view of former Plaid Cymru leader and North Wales AM Janet Ryder following a visit to Ifor Williams Trailers which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

Their comments came after a visit to company headquarters in Cynwyd, near Corwen, when they were given a guided tour of the factory.

According to Dafydd Wigley, the well-paid jobs at Ifor Williams Trailers provide the backbone of the rural economy.

The secret of their success, he said, was the build quality of their trailers.

It’s a point not lost on the German equine magazine, Cavallo. After conducting a series of tough tests, they recently decided that the horseboxes made by Ifor Williams Trailers were the best in Europe.

Mr Wigley said: "The fact that they employ more than 400 people in largely rural area is so important.

"It is an industry that has grown from the roots of agriculture and the countryside and by now they make trailers suitable for every sector.

"We have heard how they are coping with the extremely difficult economic climate that is facing them and everybody else.

"They are investing in new machinery so that they can compete even more effectively – at time when there are cheap imports from place like China.

"Like the rest of the manufacturing sector, they have been helped to a certain extent by the weak pound.

"The flip side of that they have to buy in so many of the components and that takes away some of the advantage of exporting to countries like France and Germany.

"It is good to hear that the company is hopeful and positive about the future and I hope to see the company going from strength to strength for another half a century.

"When you talk about a pen to write you think about a Biro; when you talk about cleaning the floor, you used to talk about the Hoover.

"Similarly, Ifor Williams Trailers is undoubtedly the market leader in this particular sector and this is true in the UK and in other countries.

"It was very interesting to hear that the company has regained top spot in France and is increasing its sales in Germany.

"Germany places a huge emphasis on the importance of quality and reliability and the trailers produced here were recently voted the best by a German equine magazine after a series of rigorous tests.

"This type of build quality is akin to the cars that are built in Germany – and that’s why they are able to sell trailers to the German market.

"It is a great tribute to the company and everybody who works here."

Janet Ryder was equally impressed following the visit and added: "The name of Ifor Williams Trailers has a great reputation.

"I was very impressed to see the way that they build trailers here and it is obvious they are doing everything they can to create a bright future for this area.

"They are the market leader and everywhere you go, it doesn’t matter where, you see one of their trailers.

"That’s fantastic and they are example to companies throughout Wales that we are able to make the best products here.

"Ifor Williams Trailers is the economic backbone of this rural area – there is nobody else who is going to set up a business of this scale here.

"They are not content to rest on their laurels and they are still looking to the future to see how they can continue to improve the product. It’s great."

Managing Director John Williams said: "We were delighted that Mr Wigley and Ms Ryder were able to visit the company headquarters in Cynwyd.

"It is gratifying to know that they hold the company in such high esteem and regard us as an important employer in North Wales."

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