Meech Results Show Continuing Export-Led Growth for 2010 - 11 Meech Static Eliminators
Exports now account for almost 80% of sales at the Oxfordshire-based specialist developer and manufacturer of electrostatic controls and related solutions. Chris Francis, Meech’s CEO, describes 2010-11 as “a year of consolidation following the exceptional 37% rise in sales we recorded in 2009-10 as the global economy began to recover. Most of the growth is in our core static control division and our air technology business unit, while web cleaner sales have also made steady progress.”
He adds that despite difficult trading conditions in the US and several eurozone countries the outlook for 2011-12 is good, thanks in part to new products such as IonRinse, a unique ionising air rinsing system for the beverage industry (pre-forms and blown PET bottles). Says Chris Francis: “Ionised air rinsing technology is increasingly replacing traditional water-based rinsing systems. IonRinse is not only extremely compact and provides exceptional cleaning functionality, it’s a genuinely sustainable solution, as there are no costs for water, compressed air, chemicals or effluent and no need to handle water or chemical residues. The market’s initial response to the product has been very positive, and we expect it to contribute positively to our sales in the coming year.”
He attributes Meech’s performance to the decision several years ago to pursue a three-pronged strategy of selling a comprehensive range of products into a broad spread of industrial and geographic markets. “The industries we sell to include cyclical sectors such as automotive and relatively recession-proof sectors such as medical, pharma, and food and beverages. Geographically, we are well-represented both in emerging and mature markets. We have offices in China, India and Central Europe, sales and production facilities in the US, and excellent distributors in key European countries such Germany, Spain and Italy. Combine this infrastructure with the continuous investment in R&D that yields products such as IonRinse, and we believe we are capable of continued growth in most environments.”
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14 December 2011
