Lanes boosts exports

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 19

Lanes boosts exports

PA Levin Buoyant sales to Australia have resulted in Lane's, Fabrics. Ltd. Levin, boosting exports to more than SIM in nine months of the current financial year. "This is the first time the company has reached this figure in a year and the prospect look even better for the next 12 months,” managing director, Mr Graham Smellie, said in an interview. He said that traditionally Australia had imported a lot of fabric from Japan and Italy but now with favourable terms under the closer economic relations they were turning more to New Zealand. “We have had a lot of executives in Australia during the year and have concentrated on a broad-based approach." said Mr Smellie.

"Our fabric for the swimwear market has sold extremely well in shops in Australia, helped by a very hot summer. "Most of our forward sales are in apparel and especially swimwear with re-stocking after the excellent sales, and these compensate for the - downturn in home sales. But we are also ready to meet any upturn in the sales of automotive trim in Australia.” Mr Smellie said the merging with Levin Dyeworks last year had brought about efficiencies and cut out duplications with some small staff reductions. “We have spent a lot of time and money, in developing new products and installing new plant and this will pay off in the vears ahead.” he said.