Leaf chain supplier Chaintec has expanded its UK operations, opening a new office in Southampton. Chaintec now has six offices throughout the UK.

David Hassan, managing director of Chaintec, explains the new office opening is part of the company's current expansion plan. "(Chaintec) has a further 24 months expansion planned," he says.

"In the previous 24 months, we have found an Italian distributor, Leben Srl, increased our customer base throughout Ireland - north and south - and developed strategic partnerships with AntiFriction in Belfast and Reliance Bearings in Dublin and Cork.

"We have started up a sales engineer, complete with stock, in Glasgow to service the Glasgow-Edinburgh area."

The Southampton office will stock the full range of Chaintec's chains and will be able to custom-cut lengths for individual customer requirements. The office will be based at forklift parts supplier, SL Components.

Hassan says the office in Southampton will provide an improved level of service for "dockside" customers.

"Being on the doorstep in Southampton, we can reduce downtime for customers' trucks by having stock available at SL Components," he says. "SL Components are able to cut the chain to pattern while the customer waits. This ensures there is never a problem with the incorrect chain being ordered. Chain identification can be a problem for customers when they are ordering chain.

"There are also no carriage costs from Manchester," he says.

Hassan says Chaintec will announce further developments in mainland Europe soon. "This will see our presence In Europe greatly enhanced. With large areas of Europe yet to experience the service levels and competitive prices we can offer, I expect to see our steady growth continue."

Chaintec sales have increased by nearly 15% from this time last year. Hassan comments. "I think this is due to our commitment to getting closer to our customers wherever possible and giving them a very high level of service.

"Competitive pricing is also vital in these times and while we're all being squeezed by raw material prices soaring, we have managed to keep any price rises to a minimum through very tight control on our overheads and inventory."