BREXIT holds no fears for an Aire Valley manufacturer which is shrugging off fears about damage to trade as its European trade continues to rise at record levels and it expands in France.

Acorn Stairlifts has seen a short-term boost from Brexit through the resultant fall in the value of sterling against the Euro which is making British-made goods more competitive on the Continent.

The Steeton-based firm has seen rapid growth in business with mainland Europe where sales hit a record £20.5 million last year- 37.5 per cent higher than the previous year.

Acorn says its plan’s for European expansion remain unaffected by the EU Referendum result.

It is pressing ahead with opening a new French base at Villneuve d’Ascq, near Lille. to handle all sales enquiries, home survey appointments, installations and aftercare.

The office will be managed by Jacques Konings, who said: “Whatever happens with ‘Brexit’ I cannot believe it will undermine the basic rule of supply and demand, and the demand for Acorn Stairlifts is already here in France and growing fast.”

Nearly 15 per cent of Acorn’s sales come from mainland Europe, contributing to record revenues of around £150 million, two thirds of which came from outside the UK.

Acorn makes more than 60,000 stairlifts annually at its three UK factories and exports to 82 countries, and is the market leader in the United States.

Dave Belmont, company secretary, said: “We’re not taking any political view on the EU Referendum result. We remain confident that it won’t damage our strategy for continued expansion in Europe, of which the new French office is just the latest step.”