Dundee-based Stoneridge Electronics has explored maximising business opportunities with importers of its tachograph products in mainland Europe.
The company – winner of The Courier Business Awards’ export business of the year prize – brought importers from 20 countries to the biennial event in Holland.
The seminar was held in the DAF Trucks production site in Eindhoven.
It was attended by clients from Ireland, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, Macedonia, Hungary, Greece, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium.
Stoneridge representatives from France and Sweden as well as Dundee were also present, with the itinerary including a tour of the DAF Trucks facilities.
Amanda Robertson, vice-president of the aftermarket division at the Claverhouse Industrial Estate plant, said “It was a great opportunity for us to give our export customers a company update, inform them about our new products and upcoming legislation changes and have discussions on how to maximise our joint business opportunities.
“It was also an excellent opportunity for them to network with each other and share common experiences.
“We also took the opportunity to thank them for their help in Stoneridge winning The Courier Business Awards, Export Business of the Year.”
Stoneridge Electronics’ Dundee site successfully transitioned in 2006 from a declining manufacturing to a sales/support and design organisation.
The Dundee base, employing more than 100 staff, exports and supports customers globally with 78% of business for overseas.
Its customer support team can converse in eight languages and its three websites are similarly multi-lingual.
Its products are supported by a network of more than 5000 trained and certified workshops throughout Europe.
Its software analysis product, developed and supported from Dundee, is used by thousands of fleets and drivers throughout Europe.
The tachograph records a vehicle’s speed and distance and its driver’s activity, and Stoneridge is constantly looking at new market developments as well as market share through customer service.
Current targets include entry to the aftermarket in the US, where a Dundee manager has been relocated, and after Turkey and Russia, exporting to Algeria.
A new workshop software product for Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy is also on the agenda.