US growth to deliver £500k sales for Chorley-based S&S Northern

Gas safety equipment supplier S&S Northern is celebrating after unlocking growth in its US exports.

Having worked with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to identify a gap in the American market two years ago, the Chorley-based firm now supplies products via 20 distributors to 48 states across the US.

Family-owned S&S Northern has pulled in more than £300k in sales to date in its current financial year, but expects that figure to hit £500k by the year’s end.

The growth safeguarded 17 jobs for the Cheshire business, including the creation of five new posts.

S&S Northern sales director Lee Dempsey, who runs the firm with his parents Steve and Sue McMahon, said: “DIT provided us with the knowledge, strategy, funding, training and confidence to approach the American market as a £2.5m British SME with limited resources. We couldn’t have achieved this success without DIT’s help.

“International trade advisers helped us every step of the way, both with specific USA cultural training seminars, and helping us with financial support and obtaining the required certification.”

He continued: “DIT’s support also allowed us to exhibit and launch products at the AHR EXPO exhibition in New York in January 2014, the AHR EXPO Chicago a year later and the AHR EXPO Florida in January of this year.

“Through the step-by-step guidance they provided we have successfully developed a significant presence in the challenging but lucrative USA market.”

Founded in 1995, S&S Northern designs, manufactures and supplies a range of gas safety products such as ventilation and interlock systems for use in commercial kitchens.

The firm also supplies schools and commercial buildings.

Paul Stowers, DIT’s deputy North West regional director, commented: “We’re very happy to have played a key role in helping S&S Northern to enter the American market – the sales the company have achieved this year are phenomenal, and very well deserved.”