Major Australian deal for Leeds distributors

A Leeds-based distributor of windscreen washer systems has secured a lucrative deal to supply to the Australian market.

Hunslet’s Heatshot Ltd have secured a 12 month agreement with Australian truck parts distributor, PACCAR Parts, to supply a heated windscreen washer system.

The company landed the deal through working with UKTI who supported Heatshot in setting up a partner company in Melbourne.

Simon Young, sales and marketing director of Heatshot Ltd, explained: “Although we already had export arrangements in place with a number of countries, agreeing the deal with PACCAR has opened up a whole new market to us.

“There is a real demand for a product like Heatshot in Australia – in particular, there is a large mining industry there, and the trucks that go into the mines come out covered in debris. Red dust and mosquitos also accumulate on windscreens and can be difficult to clean off quickly.

“UKTI were a big support in helping us set up our partnership business in Australia and secure the deal, giving us advice and helping us research the marketplace.”

Heatshot Ltd was founded in 2010 with three full-time members of staff to distribute the US manufactured product to the European market.

Since then, the company has agreed franchise deals in 17 countries including Turkey, Sweden and Germany.

Mark Robson, regional director for UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Australia offers some great opportunities for British businesses, and we are pleased that with our support, companies like Heatshot are benefiting.

“Even in tough times, many local businesses are seizing the opportunity to expand abroad and we hope that Heatshot’s story will inspire other companies to follow in their footsteps.”