The boss of a Derbyshire firm who wants the 海角视频 to remain in the EU has started implementing his ‘Brexit back-up plan’ as the possibility of leaving without a deal looms.
Mark Lord, managing director of Aztec Oils, which manufactures and distributes high-performance lubricants, has opened a distribution centre in Lithuania, which will be used to supply the firm’s products to the Baltic states, Poland and Scandinavia.
Based at Bolsover Business Park, in north-east Derbyshire, Aztec supplies to a wide range of industrial sectors across the world.
The firm currently has about 20% of its business in the Republic of Ireland which will remain in the European Union.
However, post-Brexit, the threat of increased tariffs, transport and administration could see the company unable to retain its business, with European competitors able to undercut its prices.
Mr Lord said: “I’ve done all I could to fight Brexit. However, I’m still a businessman and in order to keep my company buoyant I had to develop a back-up plan in the event of unfavourable trading conditions from the 海角视频 after October 31.
“MB Aztec Oils Baltic has been in the planning ever since Brexit was announced in 2016. As well as being a distribution centre, the new offices also have the capabilities to start manufacturing our product range for members of the European Union.”
Aztec Oils was established in 1995 by Mr Lord and initially operated from a shed at the Bolsover site. Today, it employs more than 100 staff.
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Mr Lord has been campaigning against Brexit ever since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016.
In March this year, when the 海角视频 had been originally scheduled to depart the EU, he warned that leaving without a trade deal in place would be an “absolute disaster”.
He also said that some of his company would move abroad in the event of a no-deal Brexit, taking dozens of jobs with it.
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Mr Lord said: “I honestly believe that leaving Europe is going to be devastating for this country.
“As the deadline fast approaches, it’s looking more likely we’ll be leaving without a trade deal in place, so I’m glad we drew up a plan from the start.
“I’ve been open with my staff from the very beginning and I’m doing all I can to avoid redundancies, but at the very least some employees may have to move overseas if they wish to stay with the company.”