AIMEX -

SEALITE MAKES INROADS IN SOUTH AMERICA  

18 June 2010

Australian company Sealite and aviation and marine navigation manufacturer Avlite are part of a big Aussie export push into South America.  These world-renowned sister companies are making in-roads into the developing continent.

According to a new survey, exporters have their sights on Latin America, Asia and Africa in pursuit of new export sales in the coming year.  The 2010 DHL Export Barometer, based on a survey of exporters, found that while some suffered due to the global downturn and high Aussie dollar, they were confident of the future.

DHL Express senior vice-president Gary Edstein said that while only 19 per cent of those surveyed said they exported to Central and South America in the past 12 months, 63 per cent expected to increase their orders to the region next year.  “Australian exporters tend to be very proactive and are always looking for new trade partners to diversify their opportunities,” he said. “This adaptability is crucial to weather-proofing exporters against fluctuating global markets and for business continuity in uncertain times.

Avlite/Sealite founder Jeff Procter, who established the business in the early 1980s, said demand for the innovative light equipment for use in marinas, channels and on airstrips was strong. Mr Procter, who is joined in the business by his two sons, said the company’s quick take-up of technology had ensured its success. For instance, he said it replaced incandescent lights with LED lights. Some lights include global positioning satellites so the lights are synchronised.

The Somerville company’s products can be found on US airbase runways around the world. Its navigational lights are seen everywhere from the Port of Geelong to Venetian canals. “We have the philosophy that the more you sell, the more you sell,” Mr Procter said.

He said users of the products which he estimates are 90 per cent Australian content, tended to recommend them in the tightly-knit marine and aviation communities. Mr Procter said success in Latin America reflected the area’s continuing need to develop infrastructure to match their resources-led economies. He said it was impossible to sell to China because they were interested in replicating rather than buying their goods. However they were having success in Taiwan and Indonesia.

Sealite is an Australian Marine Export Group (AIMEX) member. AIMEX is the peak body for the Australian Marine Export Industry, which generates over 1.2 billion dollars a year for the Australian economy. Its primary purpose is to develop and promote Australia's thriving Marine Industry to the world.

For further information contact www.avlite.com or www.sealite.com