Export support to grow in the New Year

Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director UKTI North West, (centre right) with the Export Champions

Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director for UKTI North West, today welcomed the extra funding for support services announced in the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement and looked forward to a boost in overseas trade for the region in the New Year.

Mr Drinkwater was addressing the first group of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Export Champions for the North West, who were gathered today (Tuesday 11 December) to discuss how best to encourage new firms to export and to increase overseas business in 2013.

The Export Champions programme is unique to the North West, and involves recruiting successful international firms to help and advise new companies on their export journey, offering peer to peer support in addition to the wide range of individually tailored professional services available from the UKTI team.

Almost 30 export champions have been recruited in the North West as part of UKTI Regional Director Clive Drinkwater’s drive to create 1000 new exporters for the region. The group includes both large and small companies from a range of sectors, covering all parts of the North West.

In Greater Manchester the export champions include Hughes Safety Showers Ltd from Stockport, specialists in manufacture of emergency safety showers and decontamination equipment; Urmston-based Regatta Ltd which sells its outdoor and lifestyle clothing to over 54 countries worldwide; Vindon Scientific from Rochdale which designs, manufactures and installs controlled environment rooms, storage chambers, blood banks, refrigerators and freezers, Bolton based Drew Brady, a leading hosiery firm, HMG Paints from Collyhurst, Allied Filter Systems from Irlam and Wigan-based William Santus & Co Ltd – maker of the famous Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls which sell as far afield as Japan.

Also part of the line up are Altrincham based BDB, a 2011 Queen's Award winning international business to business marketing communications agency which handles integrated campaigns in more than 25 countries, and WYG Planning and Environment, one of the top 15 consultancies in Europe with around 40% of revenue derived internationally.

Commenting on being named a UKTI North West Export Champion, BDB's MD Olivia Kehoe, comments: "It's an honour to be asked to join this group of successful exporters. I hope BDB's 25 years' exporting experience, coupled with our expertise in helping industrial companies promote their products and services all around the world, will inspire and motivate potential exporters in the region."

Paul Grover, WYG Regional Director is firmly convinced that international growth presents significant opportunities for UK companies: He says “At WYG we are targeting an increase in international revenue to 50% of the total, and see UKTI’s Export Champions programme as an excellent addition to the range of initiatives designed to encourage companies into the export arena.”

Speaking at today’s event, Mr Drinkwater said: “Exports in the North West were £6.3 billion last quarter, up almost £1 billion since the previous quarter, and we are still experiencing growth in key markets. Exports to China are up by 12% compared to last year, India up 4% and Brazil up 2%. Exports to the USA from the North West are nearly £1.4 billion, making this our best quarter in America since 2010, so despite the current economic climate, we are definitely bouncing back.

“The extra funding for UKTI announced in the Chancellor’s statement – an increase of £140 million over two years - reflects how important international trade is to the Government. Exports are vital for economic growth and we are delighted with the increased UKTI funding which will provide a further boost to help local businesses and to facilitate economic growth in the region.

“As a result we will be able to increase the number of International Trade Advisers and offer additional funds to SMEs with high growth potential, enabling more companies to successfully export. In addition £1.5 billion has been made available to provide loans to overseas buyers purchasing British goods.

"In the North West our Export Champions are an integral part of our strategy, which is why I am delighted to have persuaded almost 30 of our best exporting firms to join us in the drive to increase exports.

“Our inaugural Export Champions are all businesses who will inspire and motivate those new to international trade, both by promoting the benefits of export via their own successes and by sharing knowledge and experience.

“It is inspiring to attend this event today and meet such a wide range of businesses large and small, all willing to help contribute to the prosperity of the North West, both via their own companies and now with the help they have pledged to give to others.

“As diverse as these companies are, they all have one thing in common - their positive attitude and pro-active approach to seeking new export orders which make them inspirational ‘Export Champions’ who will become a beacon to inspire non-exporters to get started and to encourage new exporters to do more.”