Success stories

Find out how Yorkshire and the Humber companies have benefitted from UK Trade & Investment help and have seen real growth in overseas trade as a result.

In-Depth Case Studies

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has produced a series of in-depth case studies, looking in greater detail at each company’s exporting activities and the expert assistance they have received.

Yorkshire firm takes technology to the high seas
A company which designs electronic systems for ‘Super Yachts’ has increased its turnover from £1.6m to £9m in just six years.

Yorkshire firm speaks the language of success
A Yorkshire translation company which began as a one-man operation in 2003 has grown into a global company with a turnover in 2007 of £3.2m

Passport to Export

Passport to Export has helped many companies get started on the road to export success. Here's just a few examples...

Sugarstar pulls off international deal What does it take to get just the right soundtrack for a film, TV commercial or PC game?
Ekspan Sheffield company gets its bearings in the world market.	UKPipelines Million dollar deal in the pipeline for Sheffield on-line business.
Zen Oracle Now being widely used by golf pros and leading tour coaches to imprint perfect putting mechanics into their game.	Rock-It-Ball A new ball game invented in North Yorkshire is taking gymnasiums and playgrounds by storm.
Portaski Ski gadget puts business on slippery slope to overseas success.	Prozone A Leeds company has developed a system of game-tracking software that is revolutionising the work of leading sports club coaches up and down the country.
Computer DJ An East Yorkshire company is revolutionising the job of DJs worldwide with the ultimate in digitised technology.	Kelkay With a view to expanding their business overseas the company signed up to Passport to Export.
Masham Micronized Feeds Has seen their international trade gallop ahead, with help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).	Prestige Textiles Have developed a track and trace technology which could put paid to the damaging counterfeit trade in the world of designer clothes.
Tri-Pack Plastics A Grimsby based company is showing the world that it’s possible to be cool and green at the same time, when it comes to packaging chilled foods.	Bioniqs Ltd UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is helping Yorkshire scientists in worldwide malaria treatment.
Euro Plant Supplies A North Lincolnshire company wins its first business in Africa supplying technology to recycle agricultural waste into high quality particleboard.	Novaglaze A Huddersfield glass company opens a window on overseas business opportunities they had been waiting to explore.
Bartec Auto ID An award winning company in South Yorkshire makes a dramatic transformation from UK supplier to competitive exporter.	Swinton Technology A young hi-tech company based in Malton, North Yorkshire improves its chances of attracting business overseas by tapping into expert support close to home.
Joint Replacement Instrumentation (JRI) One Yorkshire firm is at the forefront of prosthetic care after completing a Passport to Export course.	Tractair Ltd A family-owned Yorkshire business which designs, manufactures and installs air and hydraulic brake systems for special applications.
Wallas & Co Jon Wall has been involved in the textiles industry all his life, since he started working in his father’s small weaving company at the age of eighteen.	Kool Ideas You’re ready to take a dip in the water. But what do you do with your wallet and mobile and other valuables?

Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS)

The Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) is designed to help companies access funding to support the development of their export strategy. Here are some examples...

The fine art of exporting to Dubai UK artists on a fact-finding trip to Dubai.
Paraytec A tiny UV imaging detector is set to make big changes in laboratories worldwide.	US success is music to the ears of Leeds band Creative industries are one of the region’s great unsung success stories.
New Era Aquaculture Ltd A South Yorkshire aquatic nutrition specialist is looking to new overseas markets after enjoying success at its first exhibition abroad.	Flex-Seal SYITC have been working with the company to help identify further opportunities overseas.
Unison Ltd Unison Ltd, based in Scarborough, plans to ‘target the world’ with its revolutionary products and some help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire.	Brooksbank Industries UKTI helps Skipton company break into new markets.
Metallicus Unison Ltd, based in Scarborough, plans to ‘target the world’ with its revolutionary products and some help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire.	Ronseal Exporting “Exactly what it says on the tin”
Flow-Mon Going with the flow into China.	Blackrow Engineering Company lines up exports with new food processing technology.
GB Solo Scunthorpe based firm GB Solo produce state-of-the-art fire fighting systems which are in demand worldwide.	Beedspeed A Grimsby company that specialises in supplying scooter parts and accessories is racing full speed ahead with its newly designed interactive website.

Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS)

The Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) is a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) service which aims to provide a more customer-focused service to British business. Here are some examples...

ABF Europe Overseas sales soar for Kite table.
Arco Hull firm finds green pastures in Saudi Arabia.	Summit Training Training based on trust wins business in the Middle East
IML Labels and Systems Based in Sheffield they have developed a new super heat-resistant label.	Marsden Weighing Group In 2004 the company felt ready to venture into overseas markets and they went to SYITC for advice.
Massarella’s Massarella’s designs display an unmistakable Italian sense of style with her own brand of Yorkshire flair.	Myfotowall To make the most of the international potential for their website, the company went on a fact-finding mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Export Marketing Research Scheme (EMRS)

EMRS is managed by The British Chambers of Commerce. Companies can access free, professional and independent advice about researching export markets and receive financial subsidies of up to 50% towards marketing research costs. Here are some examples...

Hydra Mining Tools International
Hydra Mining recently applied to the Export Marketing Research Scheme for support in researching China’s market potential.

Export success

Some other examples of how the region's companies are making progress in the global marketplace...

Daleside Brewery North Yorkshire Firm toasts sweet export success in Finland.	Wakefield company goes to print in China Printing is in many ways an obvious business to outsource.
Courgette Volante Theatre With support and guidance from UK Trade & Investment, the Danby-based Courgette Volante Theatre is now in the throes of rebranding and marketing...	Martek Marine Rotherham-based Martek Marine has added another prestigious accolade to their growing collection of honours...
Fugenex Hull-based Fugenex is about to move into the Italian market after visiting Italy and shortlisting a number of Milan-based distributors to take their products further.	Ritchey PLC In what are arguably some of the toughest times the agricultural sector has faced in recent years, a North Yorkshire firm is planning for significant future growth.
Buttercup Knitwear North Rigton-based Buttercup Knitwear has the US and European markets stitched up after exhibiting at Showcase Ireland, a craft and design trade fair in Dublin.	Mamas and Papas Mamas & Papas worked with UK Trade & to assist the company with obtaining background information on the Middle East markets.
C3S Securiglass UKTI is working with C3S Securiglass as the company expands its international operations.	Shantielle Shantielle, based in Halifax and run by Selina Hafiz, designs scarves and shawls using quality cashmere and silks from India and Italy.
Creative North A dynamic West Yorkshire company specialising in developing games for mobile phones.