One of Medway’s longest established companies is tackling the economic downturn by growing its valuable export market.

Passmore Portable Buildings of Strood, which celebrates its centenary next year, last week loaded its seventh container in nine months, bound for New Zealand.

The company has two customers there, including a man who as a boy travelled past Passmore in Strood High Street every day on his way to school.

IN TRANSIT: Passmore's portable buildings are being exported to New Zealand

Marketing director Stuart Slaughter said: "He was already importing from another manufacturer but was unhappy with the quality." He remembered our name and contacted us. "These days we always have at least one container on the high seas. Kiwi customers are particularly keen on our range of garden rooms, chalets and play houses. It works well beacause as the British season comes to an end, the season Down Under is just beginning."

The company produces equestrian complexes, sports pavilions, garages and garden rooms as well as sheds and even kennels.