A CHELMSFORD company that specialises in boosting the power of car engines has seen its Japanese business grow by 25 per cent.

TDI Tuning, based on Cromar Way, was set up in 2004, but expanded its Far East business in 2012 after it saw an increasing demand for diesel engines

The company, which develops tuning boxes – devices that can be incorporated into diesel engines to boost power, torque and fuel efficiency – turned to the Government’s UK Trade and Investment department for help when deciding to venture into the Japanese market.

TDI’s sales and marketing director, Graeme King, signed the company up to UKTI’s Passport to Export programme, which supports new exporters.

He said: “The majority of our sales originate in the UK.

“However, we wanted to expand our customer base and were aware of the potential for our products overseas, in particular, in Japan, where there is an increasing demand for diesel engines.

“From our own research, we’d established the market was being served by very few competitors.”

After recommendation by trade advisers, the company employed its own inhouse, Japanese-speaking member of staff to help overcome cultural barriers.