Foden exports to beat slum
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• Foden Trucks is stepping up its export activities in a bid to overcome the devastating effect of the recession on UK truck sales.
The Sandbach truck maker says its export sales are becoming increasingly important with up to 25% of all production currently being sent overseas".
Foden's sales network in Europe has been growing steadily. Following the setting up of dealerships in Spain, France, Belgium and Switzerland, Paccar UK boss Rod Heather says Foden is hoping to establish a dealership in Holland "well before the end of the year".
According to Heather, sales of Foden trucks on the Conti nent show that the company is "meeting a demand that our competitors apparently can't satisfy".
Switzerland is proving to be a particularly fruitful market for Foden. It has sold 35 4000 Series tractors and rigids there through its local dealer, Friderici SA, which has recently ordered a number of 6x4 drawbar chassis for its own haulage business. The Swiss-spec Fodens meet the local 84dB(A) regulations.
Although the UK market continues to be depressed — Heather predicts that 1991 truck registrations will fall to the lowest levels since comparable statistics started — Foden expects that there will be some upturn in demand in the final quarter, and Heather is confident that Foden can make a profit in 1991.
Among recent fleet successes are sales to Ciba Geigy, the Department of Transport (for snowplough gritters) and BOC Interbrand.