All in it Together
03 February 2006
Whilst Francis Ward, the UK leading Intermediate Bulk Container and Drum manufacturer has long been trading in Europe, the company has been looking to build on its European market. Jonathan Wurr, Managing Director, identifies Europe as a real potential growth area, not just because of the size of the market, but because the products they are bringing to the market offer real environmental and economic benefits, totally different to what many Europeans are currently using. Aware of the need not just to sell the goods, but also convert customers to a different way of thinking, Francis Ward has been actively looking for agents and distributors.
The result has been a working partnership over the last couple of years with Teka Containers and Apaco. This month, contracts were signed with both companies, to make the exclusive partnerships official. Apaco will represent Francis Ward and promote its products in France and Flanders. Teka will represent Francis Ward in Portugal and Spain, while Francis Ward will promote Teka's range of Stainless Steel IBCs in the UK.
Wurr believes that all three have to gain from the two agreements, with more choice now being offered to customers of all three companies.
But that is not the end of the story. Francis Ward has also managed to secure an agreement with ODS of Netherlands, who will act as Francis Ward's agent in Netherlands and Northern Belgium. ODS who are part of the Klöckner & Co Group are a company with over 30 years experience in supplying the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries with machinery and equipment, the core markets that Francis Ward target in the UK. Erik de Groot of ODS has welcomed Francis Ward believing their product range is versatile and open to more applications than other products currently in the market place, giving ODS an extra commercial advantage.
Wurr states " we are very excited about the signing of all three agreements and are looking forward to working closely with all parties to achieve common beneficial results."
This drive to grow the European market is still continuing with agents or distributors being sought in Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.
