Export experts rewarded for ‘going global’

Regional businesses that are making a name for themselves overseas have been recognised for their efforts at an awards ceremony in Leeds.

Organised by Yorkshire Forward and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Going Global Awards are designed to recognise regional companies that are growing their business through international trade.

Six regional companies took home awards, whittled down from over 70 entries from across the region. Over 200 companies attended the event, which was held at Leeds City Museum.

The first award of the evening for Best New Exporter went to Wakefield based Office Electrics. The company specialises in electrical systems for office premises, and until three years ago worked only in the UK. Working with UKTI they researched the growing Middle East market and developed activities in Dubai that now turnover in excess of £1 million a year.

“We are really pleased to win this award and couldn’t have done it without the support of both UKTI and Yorkshire Forward. They have enabled us to expand into the Far East in the same way as our expansion into the Middle East.”

Video Clips
	Julie Kenny Businesswoman and Yorkshire Forward Board Member, introduces the 2009 Going Global Awards.
	Mark Robson UKTI Director of International Trade sets out why, more than ever, exporting is vital to the region’s economy.
	Mark Palmer Global  Marketing Director of Green & Blacks chocolate describes the role that branding has played in the company’s meteoric success.
	Julie Kenny Congratulates the winners and closes proceedings.

The award for Best Market Entry Strategy, which recognises companies that have researched and then successfully entered a new overseas market, was given to Scunthorpe based Bradken. The company is a specialist manufacturer of machinery for the mining industry, and in 2006 identified Poland as a potential new market. With the support of UKTI, the company commissioned research to identify the existing equipment at key stations in Poland and visited the country to meet with potential new customers. In 2007 Bradken sold its first parts in Poland and is predicting sales worth over £2 million over the next year.

“We are excited to win this award and see it as welcome recognition for the work we have done and all we’ve achieved. We’ve had excellent support from UKTI both in the UK and overseas in entering the market in Poland.”

The third award of the evening was presented to Harrogate manufacturer Flow-Mon Ltd. The company was presented with the award for Most Improved Exporter in recognition of the growth of its export markets. The company, which manufactures and distributes flow monitors, has increased its export turnover by 50% in the last three years, attracting new customers in India, America and Europe. Its success was achieved by working with Business Link and UKTI to develop a focussed strategy to grow the business both at home and abroad.

“It is wonderful to have won the award for ‘the most improved exporter’ at Going Global 09. We would like to say thank you to all our employees who have contributed their time and talent over the past seven years. It is a great feeling to be recognised for all the efforts made to manufacture and sell our flow meters around the world.”

The award for Best Overseas Initiative was presented to Leeds based Human Film, which has successfully hosted film workshops in Kurdistan and Iraq to train local people, whilst filming feature film ‘Son of Babylon’. This combined effort has not only enabled local people to develop their filmmaking skills, but also raised the profile of Human Film as one of the few Western production companies to work in this field.

“We were pleasantly surprised to win this award in recognition of the work we have done! This is a great boost for us to continue in our efforts to raise the profile of Human Film internationally.”

Sheffield based William Beckett Plastics received the award for Best Overseas Investment in recognition of its successful penetration of the United States market. The company started exporting in Chicago after developing contacts and networks in the state. Then, using support from the Yorkshire Forward funded Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) the company researched key markets in other US states which allowed it to develop a position as one of the market leaders in the country. William Beckett Plastics now has an export turnover of almost £2.5 million.

“Thanks to UKTI for their valued support over the years and particularly the TESS funding we have received, which has made a significant contribution to our success.

“The most important reason for our success has been the total commitment to customer service and excellent personal relationships our team in Chicago has developed with our customers.”

The final award of the evening was presented to Sheffield based Gripple. The supplier of wire joining and tensioning devices was presented with the coveted award for Best Exporter in recognition of its long standing export success. Export turnover within the company stands at £20.8 million and Gripple services over 2000 customers in 83 countries. The company is also using its export success to drive new ideas, with an average of 5% of turnover invested into ideas development.

"We were delighted to receive the best exporter award at the Going Global Awards. We have always viewed our market opportunity as a global opportunity and this award is recognition for all of our staff worldwide who develop, market, and manufacture innovative products which we supply to 2000 customers in over 80 countries."

Julie Kenny, businesswoman and board member to Yorkshire Forward, presented this year’s awards along with Mark Palmer, the global marketing director of confectioner Green and Black. She said: “In these difficult economic times, when so many headlines are dominated by business downturn, it is great to have the opportunity to showcase those regional companies who are succeeding in spite of the recession.

“I believe in going global. Exporting to new markets is crucial to success and I believe that now is the time to be looking overseas – be innovative, creative and proactive.”

Mark Palmer advised those present: “The challenges we all face when moving from one market to another are very similar. But you don’t have to be all things to all men. Segment and differentiate your market. Who is it you are targeting? Are you giving them what they want? Be prepared to change to do this.

He added: “Continue to do those things you are doing well and do them bigger. Entering an international market does have its risks, but the rewards are there also!”

Mark Robson, director of international trade for UKTI commented: “In a period of difficulty there is a very strong temptation to look at costs and overheads. It is essential to keep an eye on market shifts and keep customers in your sights and market to them. Companies that trade internationally are better able to manage in the current climate. The future is bright, but it is also international.”