Digger parts firm heads off into the forest to find work

Aug 30 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A DIGGER parts business is addressing a marked drop off in construction orders by focussing on the forestry sector.

Gateshead-based MST is set to attend the APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition next month, where it hopes to attract a number of new customers in the field.

It will be the first time it has attended the Staffordshire-based trade show and hopes to increase its £12m turnover in the coming years as it becomes more involved with forestry clients.

The firm has suffered from a reduction in orders from some of the region’s construction firms as the sector continues to suffer from the affects of the credit crunch. The firm, which employs around 100 staff and supplies tracks and other spare parts for bulldozers and earth moving equipment, recently brought in Michael Day from US-based farming and agriculture equipment suppliers John Deere.

It was the newly appointed salesman that alerted MST to the trade show, which he hopes to use to build on his contacts. Rory Whitehall, sales director at the Birtley-based company, which has a site near Glasgow and one in Worcestershire, said: “Michael will be a very important member of staff for us going forward and his experience will help us to develop our place in the forestry market.

“That’s not to say that we will be ignoring our involvement in construction, as it has helped to build up our business to where it is today.

“However, you have to react when you stop receiving calls from some of your usual customers.

“It’s clear that the credit crunch has hit construction hard and we have to ensure that we able to secure the future of our business.”