Getting overseas business right
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Not every business can look overseas for growth, but, like the
number one business Pentagon Holdings - profiled in this column
last month - it is the principal reason behind Wozair's phenomenal
performance.
International expansion has been the key to the firm's growing
reputation in the offshore oil drilling industry.
Offices have opened in strategic locations such as Singapore,
Brisbane, Houston and Dubai. It also has agents in France, Holland,
South Korea, Poland and Russia. Up to 90 per cent of the firm's
£17m turnover (June 2009) was generated overseas.
Wozair's name has spread worldwide following a bold decision to
focus on overseas markets and locating to places where clients and
potential clients are based. There are few offshore oil rigs
without a ventilation system and fire dampers made by Wozair.
Growth has been spectacular, particularly in recent years,
servicing offshore and onshore oil and gas markets, marine,
process/petrochemical and building services.
A joint venture with a South Korean shipbuilder has paid huge
dividends. "The underlying reason for our expansion in the last
four or five years is primarily the work we've picked up in the
South Korean shipyard where we've been able to get a turnkey
package," says Alistair Brooks, Wozair's proposals engineering
manager.
"As the company's presence has grown stronger, we've picked up
more work and become more successful. We try and work with the
client all the way through a job, it's not just a question of
supplying our equipment and that's it."
Wozair designs, manufactures, and installs ventilation systems
and fire dampers to semi-submersible drilling rigs that can be
moved from one location to another.
They are critical to successful rig operation as well as crew
safety and comfort. "Without the ventilation system, the rigs won't
work," says Mr Brooks.
Some 80 people now work at the Gillingham factory, with a
further 100 overseas.
The company, previously known as Waterloo Air Technology, is
spearheaded by directors Simon Collins and Paul Azzopardi who led a
management buyout from Aylesfordf-based Hunter International. Its
name was shortened to Wozair in 2000.
Wozair's products are not only on oil rigs. They can be found,
for example, in Harrods, Thamesport (Isle of Grain), Pfizer
(Sandwich) and Dungeness power station.
Mr Brooks expects international markets to offer continued
growth in the coming years.
Friday, March 11 2011
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