The Company received its first export order in 1977 for the supply of specialist filters for Hovercraft operating between Kowloon in Hong Kong and the outlying islands in the South China sea.

Today our export division is a very significant part of our overall business. It supplies both our UK range of products and services as well as specialist parts and components that are unique to our export Customers. The associated overseas offices, warehouses and sales representation are an integral part of the service we provide. Living in a world of almost instant communication, our offices form the vital link at a local level and when necessary in the local language. This service gives considerable added value to our Customers with local stock for same day delivery. It also benefits our UK export office by keeping us alert to the opportunities and changing needs of the market place.

The export division provides a complete service from enquiry to quotation, export packing, with shipment by sea, air, courier or overland on ex works, F.O.B, C.I.F, D.D.U, or D.D.P terms according to Customers preference.

For VOR and other urgent items we deliver to airports or to nominated freight forwarders. Our overseas Customer base is primarily focused on PSV /coach operators, construction companies, power generation providers, defence users and suppliers, in locations around the world including Australia, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Falklands, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Macedonia, South America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Carwood offices are located in Hong Kong and Shanghai with sales representation and warehousing in Singapore, these in turn export within the region to Macau, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Products exported include:

Specialist batteries
Filters
Automotive instrumentation
High output alternators
Heavy duty starter motors
Diesel injection pumps
Diesel injectors
Lighting including LED
Switches
Electrical components
Brake linings and brake pads

Additionally our offices have their own product ranges not offered by the UK, particularly for marine, naval and industrial applications

Since 1983 our export division has developed a significant export brake linings business. We work in partnership with TMD Friction as export managers providing the sales, marketing and logistic function for the Hong Kong and Singapore region for the famous DON brand which today includes heavy duty disc pads for truck and bus applications. Our braking services include full engineering support for customers, backed up with the R&D resources in Germany to address issues including brake noise, drum wear, safety and vehicle application, at a time when our Customers overseas and at home are under pressure to reduce staff numbers and costs and to improve brake component life.

Our engineers also provide training at Customers workshops for their staff in both theory and practice. A series of training modules are available to cover elementary systems for workshop fitters through to the more complex needs of Customers senior engineering management. Engineering and training are provided without charge for Partnership Customers during the period of the supply contract. We believe this to be a unique package and it has assisted our major braking Customers by improving workshop practices to extend component life and thereby reduce their costs. Last and by no means least it has improved safety procedures.