Drive-maker Meiden trims UK operation to tackle adverse currencies

Meiden Europe has slimmed down its UK operation to compensate for the effects of the weak Euro and the strengthening Japanese Yen. It has cut the number of people working at its Milton Keynes base from ten to six and is moving offices, although it will keep its existing warehouse.

Until now, Meiden has provided free field and telephone support, but in future it will charge for on-site support, as most of its rivals do.

Andy Gardner, Meiden`s European business manager, is keen to scotch rumours that the UK operation has been closed down. "Meiden is still very much in the UK drives business," he says.

He adds that Meiden will be cutting its prices and says that this, "backed by a support policy equal to that of our competitors will, I believe, see Meiden continue to grow at the same 30% year-on-year as previously achieved".

Gardner is still running the European operation and reports that company has recently won a £500,000 from Russia for large drives to be used in water treatment plants.