Lower Hutt-based fire engine manufacturer Fraser fire and rescue intends to double the size of its business through market expansion.
Already the specialist arm of Fraser Engineering Group has started production of fire engines for the Hong Kong market and general manager Martin Simpson told Stuff he wants to expand further afield.
Around 150 fire engines (excluding the truck deck) are designed and manufactured in the Wingate plant annually, and the company already manufactures about 90% of the New Zealand Fire Service fleet as well as trucks for Australia, Pacific Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands, New Guinea, and Asia.
Fraser fire and rescue is now gearing up to produce 300 units annually , and it says its point of difference is that it engineers nearly all components in-house, unlike some competitors who buy parts to order.
It is this point of difference that has won it business supplying parts for other manufacturers in Australia and around the world according to Simpson.
“You may not be able to export finished trucks around the world, but you can certainly export finished parts,” says Simpson.
He is confident that Fraser fire and rescue could meet the production target but urgently needs around 20 more skilled staff to join the current team of 120 people.
“We need auto electricians, designers, sales people, fitters, machine operators, and fabricators with great attitudes. It is our aim to have the highest paid staff in the industry.”
Simpson told Stuff he is planning to buy an additional factory near the current facility as the assembly plant has reached capacity and the lunchroom and corridors are being used as storage areas.
“We need to at least double the space,” he says.
