Member Article

Lighting the way to overseas markets – UKT&I Director visits Barrow L.E.D. firm

Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) North West has visited Barrow company Lumier Ltd as part of Export Week - to witness one of the region’s leading lights in exports in action.

Export Week is a bi-annual national event which forms part of a drive to double UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 and get 100,000 more companies exporting.

A series of free events are also being held across the region to encourage businesses to make the most of their overseas potential.

Based in Barrow-in-Furness, and established in 1998, Lumier is an independent mainstream lighting manufacturer and distributor specializing in LED components. With over 25 years of experience in optoelectronic design and manufacturing Lumier Ltd has established a strong position within several major industries supplying to business leaders in the Rail, Telecommunications, Industrial, Military and Leisure sectors.

The company has been working with UKTI North West since for three years, and has completed Passport to Export, its flagship programme for new exporters and graduated onto Gateway to Global Growth, which helps already exporting businesses to explore new markets.

Clive Drinkwater toured the premises and spoke to staff about Lumier’s export strategy and progress in overseas markets.

Mark Wilding, Managing Director of Lumier Ltd, said: “When we began working with UKTI we exported very little directly, and it was our International Trade Adviser Gordon Bettany who made us aware of the potential for our products overseas.

“We signed up for the Passport to Export programme, which was very useful, and our exports have gone from a standing start to 25% of our turnover, a figure which is set to grow even more in the future.

“At the moment our export markets include USA, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, France, Thailand and India, and we are now designing products specifically for overseas markets. UKTI have helped greatly in researching the requirements of different countries, and because UK standards in the lighting industry are so high it has been easy for us to adapt our product.

“Most recently we have fulfilled an order for LED bars which will be installed in a brand new hospital being built in India.

“I would definitely recommend UKTI to other companies looking to export. Trading overseas can be a big learning curve, and the advantage they bring in terms of help, advice and contacts in embassies overseas is invaluable.”

Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director, UKTI North West, said: “The North West has some great businesses that are performing really well in the UK, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t enjoy the same success abroad.

“Lumier is proof that with the right offer and determination, exporting can significantly increase your business.

“The North West, and especially Cumbria, is at the forefront of LED technology, and our high standards, research and development and huge range of products make for enormous export potential worldwide, with opportunities in many sectors.

“LED lighting is recyclable, versatile, eco-friendly and cost effective, and I am delighted to be visiting Lumier Ltd today to see first-hand a great example of an innovative, technology-led North West business leading the way in our export drive.

“As part of our Export Challenge we have found 1000 new exporters this year, and I am proud of the progress we are making in the North West. I would encourage businesses to get in touch with the team at UKTI North West to see what help is available, and to register with the International Festival of Business in Liverpool in June and July to make the most of opportunities in what will be an incredible summer of exporting.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .