Manufacturer targets Canadian market

Chem Resist, which has been based at Dewsbury for almost 45 years, has sold two acid dilution plants to Canadian companies. One has gone to ClearTech, an Edmonton-based distributor of chemicals, chemical feed equipment and laboratory products across the country.

Now Chem Resist wants to pick up more business in areas such as Edmondton, British Columbia and Toronto, a city of more than 2.7m people.

Seamus Quinn, chairman of the firm, said Canadian companies had shown more willingness than American ones to use foreign contractors.

"It helps to make us more sustainable. The UK market goes up and down, so if you can get some work from abroad, it helps the business.

"Obviously, the value of sterling at present is helping us in the export markets – but the personal touch is very important too; all enquirers receive a call thanking them for their interest with an offer to visit them if required."

Now Chem Resist is also considering launching a joint venture in India, which would see the Yorkshire firm making smaller pieces of technical equipment to be used alongside heavy-duty material produced on the sub-continent.

Chem Resist is a specialist in the design and construction of thermoplastic storage tanks and process equipment.

Its technical sales teams have travelled across the globe in order to win contracts in Australia, Algeria, Egypt, the Middle East and Russia.

It has also appointed an agent in the lead asset battery industry in the US.

The firm, which has grown turnover to 3.5m, has 35 staff.

It is owned by managing director Simon Hewitt, who led a management buy out in the summer of 2008.