6 May 2010
The operations are run by Sales Manager James Reid, who has worked in the UK with Frese Limited for the past two years. He has 19 years of experience in selling various brands of general, industrial and building services valves.
In Australia and New Zealand, energy saving is top priority and "Green Star" buildings require energy savings and accurate flow control which means the Frese Optima is becoming popular. The Frese EVA is also becoming more popular through sales focus and compactness. The Frese "S" is also set to become a distributor favourite especially in Australia. In South Africa the traditional Alpha will be the bestseller followed by the EVA.
The Australian economy has been buoyed by the resource demand from China and the help from government stimulus. South Africa and New Zealand may take longer to kick start.
The Australian market uses a lot of the same engineering guidelines that they use in the UK. Australia has a lot of potential with relatively few competitors and a history of dynamic products.
- We expect a steady 20 percent growth year on year with much more potential when the larger Frese Optima valves are released. In the long run Frese should be the best known and most used brand of HVAC dynamic valve in this part of the world. We expect to broaden the range to add value to our clients and our own bottom line, says James Reid.
From the beginning Frese will be focussing on mechanical engineering consultants to get the products specified on the back of the Frese valve energy saving and easy commissioning features. Reid will be following up with the mechanical contractors to ensure Frese get the orders. He will be doing this with Frese's valued partner distributors in Australia - Tradelink Plumbing, in New Zealand with HJ Asmuss and in South Africa through Vac-cent Services.
- In Sydney, we have picked up two important projects with many on the horizon. The Green Star buildings requirement and previously known contacts has helped us land an 800 valve Optima project in Sydney's Darling Harbour for two commercial office and retail towers and a 300 valve project with EVA on an apartment block in another harbour side area in Sydney's "The Rocks". Sydney looks to be very busy and other markets are currently being assessed, says Reid.
