Towbar firm keen to expand its range

The new general manager of Best Bars says he is optimistic about increasing the firm's automotive accessory and light engineering business.

"There will always be competition, whether it comes from your local market or from overseas and you have no control over exchange rates - how you respond to such challenges determines how successful you will be," says Colin Richman, formerly general manager of aluminium boat company Ramco and operations manager of Carter Holt Harvey.

"Best Bars has chosen to build its business on innovative solutions, such as developing towbars and cycle racks that look good and do their job better than anything else on the market."

Best Bars is New Zealand's largest designer and manufacturer of towbar systems for cars and light commercial vehicles.

Among its recent developments in towbars is a quick-release detachable tongue, that it says is faster and easier to install and remove.

The company also makes the Ezi Grip rack for carrying cycles.