PORTASTOR, part of the Shepherd Group, has won a major import and export order with Australia.

The modular buildings manufacturer has secured the important first contract to supply two buildings to Australia after getting advice from Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Portastor gained special customs authorisation to cut its costs to import electrical components from a manufacturer in Australia, which it needed to install into the buildings.

Carol Macdonald, purchasing manager for Portastor, said: “Although we export about 50 per cent of our products, this was an important first for us with the gas industry in Barrow Island, Australia.

“We needed to import the electrical components, ice-making machines which had to be to an Australian specification, to integrate in the buildings before we could complete the project."

The Chamber helped the business gain the special customs authorization and negotiated competitive airfreight through a partner freight forwarder; brokered the correct marine insurance and co-ordinated delivery of the goods.

Susie Cawood, head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our export services help many businesses with a wide range of specialist support and we are delighted to have played a role in the completion of this contract by Portastor Ltd.”