A Wairarapa manufacturer is setting up an office in Britain and hiring more staff after sealing a deal with British investors.
The part-sale of a Wairarapa wheelchair hoist manufacturer to the group will bring millions of dollars into the local economy, says Braiden Enterprises owner John Braiden.
The deal would mean a
tripling of export orders for the Carterton company, expanded premises and more workers over the next five years, Braiden said.
The deal came about when the British investors, who wished to remain anonymous, approached him with their investment proposal.
"They couldn't get machinery of the quality that we were producing," he said.
The investors, who owned a company closely aligned to the disability transport industry, were introduced by a mutual friend. They arrived in Carterton last month, spent the week inspecting the company and concluded the deal after a five-hour negotiation.
"This joint venture is something I have dreamt of for years," Braiden said. "The move into [Britain] opens up a market of 65 million people. Instead of customers buying a single unit, they order 50."
Braiden Enterprises - which employs eight staff - will set up an office in the Midlands, employ full-time sales staff and look at developing new products with the new co-owners.
All manufacturing and research and development would remain in Carterton.
Braiden, who started the company 12 years ago with wife Sue, was a coach-builder by trade. He became involved in making the mobility hoists because his daughter Jessica had a physical disability.
- NZPA
