It took just an hour for the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Derek Smallwood, to leave his office, open a new German branch of one of the city's firms and be back for coffee.

Coun Smallwood was formally opening Hirefone's newest office in Dusseldorf using one of the York company's mobile telephones.

Seconds later it was all systems go for the UK's leading supplier of rental telecommunication equipment to business which is based in Micklegate.

David Agar, managing director of Hirefone, said: "The ceremony captured the essence of our business. Important messages are relayed instantly at a time and in a place to suit the business user."

Coun Smallwood said: "The city of York is twinned with Munster so the links with Germany are already strong. I am happy to be involved with an event that reinforces that connection. The fact that it was made by mobile phone underlines York's growing importance in the field of technology."

Hirefone Germany GmbH first offered mobile phone rental services to the business sector in 1996; now Hirefone's service, with supply of mobile communication equipment supported by a 24-hour helpline for use world-wide is so much in demand that new premises are needed.

The Hirefone Group specialises in short-term hire and has offices in the UK and the US as well as Germany.

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