Keeping a tight rein on capital and operational expenditure has been a favourite tactic of almost every business looking to get through the economic downturn but a leading supplier of safety gear and other industrial equipment is starting to see a turnaround.

Blackwoods Paykels national manager Paul Watson said capital expenditure among the companies it provides goods to was still subdued but operational expenditure was starting to pick up.

“It has been difficult and continues to be difficult but there is the odd patchy change coming through.”