Switchtec has reported record trading figures.

Switchtec has reported record trading figures for 2006. The specialist distributor of relays, switching and indication components' turnover has increased by 20% compared to the previous year. Sales Director Jeremy Lester said, 2006 has been an excellent year for the company.

In fairness, it started slowly but by mid year the situation had improved greatly.

August is usually a relatively quiet period for us, as a number of our suppliers are based in Italy and historically they shut down during August.

That can create a situation where we are without deliveries, so we have to pre-empt requirements and order in advance, but we can still loose out.

However, one of our overseas European suppliers Telergon, did not close this year, and Euroclamp, a major supplier to us, will not close during 2007.

So August was busier than normal, and order levels in September and October were very good.

November was our best month for five years, more than 25% over target.

Switchtec changed its relay supplier three years ago, deciding to take relays from the mighty Hongfa in China.

Continues Lester, Although we have never been bound to one supplier for relays, basically we had been using our biggest relay supplier for over 15 years.

So although we were very confident in the Hongfa product, taking it to market after a long term relationship with another supplier was a little daunting at first.

We have worked very hard marketing the Hongfa brand in the UK and I'm very pleased that the relationship is now bearing fruit, the range has been well accepted, and as our biggest franchise it is still maturing nicely.

Buyers now ask for the Hongfa product by name, and we have won several new customers in this key product area for Switchtec.

As well as the success of Hongfa relays, other new business areas are contributing to our success such as our own SCL timers and LED indicators.

Those ranges contributing to complete most project packages that our customers may require.

Switchtec has also increased its turnover in certain business areas.

Continues Lester, In particular, we have noticed an increase in orders from panel builders as opposed to straightforward OEM business.