mmg.com.au

An Echuca irrigation technology company has now opened an office in Abu Dhabi to be closer to the action.

WiSA managing director Graeme Wright announced the plans in Abu Dhabi during a Victorian Government trade mission to the Middle East last week.

Back home in Echuca, WiSA’s head of Dubai sales Paul Wright said: ‘‘It is one thing to talk to customers in the Middle East about our product, it is another thing to show them.

‘‘Previously we had spent time and money travelling to shows and expos in the Middle East — having a trusted employee running an office in the region is a more effective way to service customers.’’

Mr Wright said a Middle East office would also allow the Echuca office to concentrate on the research and development of its product.

WiSA has gone from a small family-run business founded in 1996 to a multinational business, but despite the growth, every WiSA system is still made from its head office in Echuca. It is expected the Abu Dhabi expansion will help the company create more jobs in Echuca.

WiSA’s business development head Ray Zelouf said the business used a personal approach to its customers, whether it be a large-scale overseas operation or a regional dairy farmer.

‘‘Each system is unique, because every customer has their own needs,’’ Mr Zelouf said.

WiSA creates central irrigation-control components for fully-automated irrigation systems, probes and sensors, sewerage treatment units and water recycling equipment.

Its products are found in a wide range of uses such as parks and gardens, hydroponics, turf, golf courses, forestry, waste water, mining and larger infrastructure projects and are exported to several countries such as the United States, Canada, France and Middle East nations.