Ifor Williams Trailers has expanded its distributor network to the East Coast of Australia.
Reaction to the company’s second foray into the Australian market has been "fantastic".
Former builder Robert Clark has now launched an outlet selling trailers manufactured by Ifor Williams Trailers.
His company, East Coast Trailers, in Kincumber, New South Wales ,is only the second in Australia to sell the range of trailers, the first being Bindoon Tractors in Western Australia – about 2,000 miles away.
Robert, who hails from Shrewsbury, works with Bindoon Tractors, who became the sub-continent’s first distributors for the European market leaders four years ago.
Bindoon was established by Shaun Oliver, who used to sell farm machinery in Lincolnshire before he emigrated to Australia.
Having used Ifor Williams Trailers in this country, Shaun took one with him to Australia because he knew it was reliable. He then took a horsebox, which so impressed his fellow Aussies that he realised there was a potential market.
It was the same personal satisfaction which led to Robert Clark setting up in business.
He and his family emigrated four years ago but Robert’s plan to set up a building firm ran into technical problems. While looking to buy a trailer, he found through the internet that Bindoon Tractors were the only distributors in Australia.
"Having grown up on a farm I had a good knowledge of Ifor Williams Trailers and knew they had a good reputation, so when I came back to Britain after about 18 months I enquired about becoming a distributor," he said.
Robert and his business partner Eamonn Corless are delighted with the "fantastic" response to the trailers in the first few months.
"They have never seen such a range of trailers before and are very impressed with the quality. There’s been virtually no choice until now," he said.
"There are a lot of horse-owners in this part of Australia so the market is potentially very big."
Peter Nesbitt, the Business Development Manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, is delighted at the growing popularity of their trailers Down Under.
"We’re naturally delighted that Robert has established a new outlet for our trailers in New South Wales and wish him every success."
"Our trailers are much more professional than the Australian equivalents, turning people’s heads when they are displayed at shows."
"Interestingly, most Australian trailers aren’t galvanized. Perhaps that’s testament to the arid weather but nevertheless it does rain in Australia and the galvanising itself is a feature that’s appreciated."
"The horsebox, for example, has a British look and that can be appealing to an overseas customer who is buying the horsebox not just for its function but also because it looks the part."
"The so-called British look is viewed abroad as a hallmark of quality - it’s the same kind of branding as a Jaguar or a Landrover."
"The trailers are remarkably well made and customers can see immediately how robust the product is and at a price that, despite the shipping costs, is still very competitive."
News » New Distributor for Australia