Francis Kirk Group plans ambitious export drive for Middle East
23 December 2016
Francis Kirk Group has expanded its geographical reach with the appointment of a distribution partner in the Middle East.
Francis Kirk Group expects the move will have a key part to play in the future growth of the fifth generation business and is expected to increase turnover
by the end of 2017 from GB£4.75 million to GB£7 million. Francis Kirk is working with The Alipour Company in Tehran, Iran, to capitalise on opportunities
in the automotive sector and new markets across the Middle East.
Developments will be mainly driven by exports of the company’s Philidas automotive and industrial fastening products. Philidas is a specialist nut used
in the production of Peugeot cars, but it also has wide ranging applications in the oil, mining, rail and earth moving machinery sectors, which are
well represented in the region.
Tom Kirk, managing director of Francis Kirk Group, commented: “The Middle East offers us huge potential – in terms of size, scope, wealth, workforce capability
and the desire to work with the West. There is also a real kudos that they are buying quality products from a British company and they are very keen
to invest in the UK to help promote and develop their own country.”
Francis Kirk Group’s move into the Middle East market follows the highly successful European expansion of Philidas. The company acquired the brand and
relaunched it in 2013 and it has since also performed very well in markets in the USA, the Far East and India.
Tom Kirk concludes: “Export has always been key to our business. Only five years ago – before changes to suppliers and their distribution policies resulted
in a refocus for us – export accounted for 40% of our turnover. Then it dipped. We’ve concentrated on redeveloping exports again and are delighted
with the progress we’ve made. Today, exports account for 20% of our turnover and we are committed to further increasing it to 50% over the next five
years.”
