Member Article

Exports vital to 2012 success

Exporters contribute 60% of UK productivity growth, and the UK’s many successful export businesses will play a vital part in national prosperity.

That is end of year message from Nick Baird, CEO of UK Trade & Investment, who suggests that British companies have never before been more export aware.

Over the last 12 months, UK Trade & Investment has assisted 24,000 companies in exploration of overseas opportunities.

Three of these companies are Newcastle-based Nomad Digital, OnePoint Systems Ltd of Sunderland, and Whitburn’s Phasor Ltd.

Nomad enlisted UKTI help to support expansion in the Asia Pacific region, while OnePoint has secured two major contracts in the USA, and Phasor have exported to China and USA.

Peter Hage, Technical Director at Phasor Ltd, said: “Following the successful implementation of five of our £20,000 systems for the inspection of engine seals for a company in the north east of China, we received orders for two more machines for their sister company in the USA.

“This work has been heavily supported by the UKTI Passport to Export scheme which provided marketing and travel support along with funding for a small exhibition for which we shipped a demonstration system to China. This helped us win the orders for the first five machines.

“Our success is based on high technology solutions coupled with comprehensive support, providing machines at a cost effective pricing structure to companies expanding in the automotive markets. China is a massive market for this equipment and we see an excellent future there.”

Statistics show that exporters become more productive, more resilient and more profitable, and Mr Baird remarks: “No business can afford to sit still.”

Mr Baird said: “When I worked overseas I saw for myself the opportunities that existed for British companies, particularly in emerging and high growth markets.

“Next year will see even more British businesses take advantage of these exciting prospects.

“The EU/Korea Free Trade Agreement, for instance, will reduce tariffs on 97% of all goods and services and represents a huge opening for British exporters to grow in Asia.

“Next year, as hosts of the Olympics, the UK will have a unique opportunity to showcase our talented businesses to overseas investors.

“UK Trade & Investment can help businesses take advantage of this occasion. We already offer free trade advice to companies looking to export and have a range of other services to help businesses better understand overseas markets.

“2012 will be the year when we not only showcase British sporting talent but also our businesses prowess to the rest of the World.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .