Member Article

UKTI Partnership supports local engineering firm

A local engineering firm has benefited from UK trade and Investment’s work in the region, after landing one of its biggest ever export orders.

Houghton International in Walker won an order worth $210,000 from Venezuelan Company Sidelca for high voltage coils used in the repair and maintenance of large electrical motors and generators.

This comes as a massive coup for Houghton, who already has an international client base in 14 countries, but is still keen to continue growing its client base. The company signed up for the UKTI Gateway to Global Growth programme, enabling them to attend the Electrical Apparatus Service Association international trade show in Denver, where they met the Venezuelan company.

Stuart Whitfield, Houghton International’s Technical Account Manager, who brokered the deal, explained: “The interest we had at the EASA show was phenomenal, with $500,000 worth of enquiries from this show alone. Prospective clients were coming to see us every day – many of whom were from South and Central America.

“It helped us realize that there is huge potential in these markets, so we’re already developing plans to build on this.”

The company are now making plans to expand this progress by translating their website and brochure into Spanish. Since receiving the order, the company has invested in new machinery and as well as employing six new apprentices. They are also hoping to create several more roles.

Bill Oliver, an advisor from UKTI commented: “The huge interest that the Houghton team had at the EASA event shows that face-to-face contact with potential customers is vital – and as part of the support available, the G3 programme gives companies the chance to meet clients in the market.

“Whether a company already has some overseas customers or is only just considering exporting, there will be a way that we at UKTI can assist them, and I hope this success will inspire other firms across the North East to contact us to find out how we can help them grow globally.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .