A family business based in west Cavan that manufactures trailers is growing its customer base in both Ireland and the UK, and has recently exported its first trailers to mainland Europe.
M-Tec Engineering is based in Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan and the growing business was in attendance at the French agricultural show, Sommet de l’Élevage in Clermont Ferrand earlier this week.
Agriland caught up with Therese and her brother Adrian Malanaphy at the show to hear how business has been going.
Therese explained that the French agricultural show is a significant milestone for the growing family business as it is the first time for M-Tec Engineering to exhibit at a show in mainland Europe, and also marks its sales entry into the mainland European market.
She said: “This event marks our entry to the European market. It’s a really exciting time for us and a lot of hard work has gone into the background trying to get here.
“It’s a pivotal point for our business getting into the European market and selling high-quality, Irish manufactured trailers into the French market.
“From completing market research we saw that there was a gap in the market for a premium livestock trailer over here.
“We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we are getting from the French farmers. All our trailers [at the show] have been sold already so it’s a good sign that we will be entering the market really strong.”
Adrian added: “Our trailers are manufactured from start to finish in Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan. The only thing we outsource at the minute is the galvanising. They’re designed, manufactured and everything else in house.
“The business is growing rapidly but we are working hard to design new products and get it right. We are also doing a lot of research to choose the right markets and target these with the right products.
“It’s the perfect timing out here. Farmers are seeing a lot of poor quality on the market, long lead times and dissatisfied dealers and that’s where we come along providing a great service and a good, strong product.”
The event ran from Tuesday, October 1 to Friday, October 4, and saw huge numbers of French farmers, as well as farmers and agri-industry personnel from across Europe and further afield travel to the show.