A DISTRIBUTION deal for new eco-friendly car park payment units will provide new export opportunities for Liverpool-based Island Group.
It has agreed exclusive rights with a Geneva-based manufacturer and is targeting distribution deals throughout the UK, Eire, the US and South Africa.
Norfolk Street-based Island has penned a five-year deal with established Swiss hardware manufacturer IEM and anticipates significant expansion opportunities.
The firm is already a well-established UK player in the provision and management of hi- tech equipment for the booming global car parking market, estimated to be worth £500m.
Island Group director Mark Cole said IEM was looking for a progressive distributor to widen its market share, and the Liverpool firm fitted the profile.
“We already design, install and service complete car park systems, and this enabled IEM to identify an opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge equipment in a rapidly growing global marketplace.”
The deal gives Island sole distribution rights of PrestoPark pay and display hardware in established markets where the appetite for secure car parking is growing.
Not only is IEM’s latest pay and display machinery backed by remote management software, it also boasts a range of features such as solar-powered or mains- operated units; the ability to accept a mix of coins, tokens or chip cards; optional installation of global systems for mobile communications; and a highly secure internal cash storage case.
The solar cell panel is integrated into the unit’s housing and the equipment is backed up by a web-based system which allows every collection point to be managed remotely.
Island Group’s Mark Cole added: “This enables both us and the client to monitor every aspect of an individual machine’s performance, from reliability to the amount of money contained in each unit.”
The Liverpool firm was established in 2002, and initially operated out of a metal portable cabin.
It now employs 18 staff at its offices near the waterfront’s Queens Dock and has established UK-wide clients.
Management said the latest deal with IEM means they will be able to consider further recruitment opportunities.
And, as part of its development strategy, Island Group said that it had also signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Liberty Services, a Croydon-based company which is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in total car park solutions and management.
