U.K. Electrical Firms Losing N.Z. Contracts

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 14

U.K. Electrical Firms Losing N.Z. Contracts

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 12. The British electrical industry had lost at least 20 major electrical contracts in New Zealand in recent years, the senior British Trade Commissioner (Mr J. L. Reading) told a luncheon of the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association today. This gave no cause for complacency in a period of intense competition. “I suggest we ought to have done much better, taking into consideration the excellent technical position of the British electrical industry.” The price might have been the cause. “Bearing in mind the large effort put into research and development by the British electrical industry, I am confident, and I hope my confidence is justified, that it was not due to the superior technical performance of our competitors’ equipment.” On a per capita basis New Zealand was the most important of the British industry’s markets. "I sometimes wonder whether we are, in fact, doing enough in Britain to secure the maximum ret—n we possibly can from this important outlet for exports in New Zealand.”

Mr Reading said he would like to see electrical exports to New Zealand from Britain increase at a greater rate than they had in the last few years.