Northampton based scaffolding manufacturers, Euro Towers, is climbing out of the recession after increasing sales and securing an agent for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with help from UK Trade & Investment.

The Round Spinney firm exports its aluminium tower scaffolding across the world and has played a huge role in supplying their access equipment to major UK projects such as Heathrow's Terminal Five and the Wembley Stadium.  

Euro Towers Ltd used UKTI's Passport to Export scheme to explore new markets and improve their global appeal - by translating their website and brochures into several languages and exhibiting at overseas exhibitions and visiting interested companies abroad.

Husband and wife team, Roger and Susan Verallo, who have run the business since 1991, were keen to make the economic downturn into a positive for their firm by developing opportunities across the globe.

Susan said: "We have really suffered throughout the recession but after getting involved with UKTI's Passport to Export programme our profits are starting to grow.  With expert advice and funding we've been able to attend exhibitions we wouldn't otherwise have been able to - in places like Singapore and Bahrain.  And we've received funding to translate our website and brochures into several new languages including Polish, French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese.

"In the past we've been able to export because people wanted our products, but during the downturn we've had to look at new ways of reaching new markets. 

"One of the most exciting results was landing an agent for Bahrain and the Saudi market and we've also now developed relationships with companies in Dubai, Maastricht and Sweden, where we have developed particularly strong links, and we are now doing some research in Poland as a consequence of a meeting with a fellow traveller on a UKTI trip.

"We're in the process of finding a route to market and we hope to be making a visit there in the New Year.

"We're still suffering the effects of the global downturn - being both manufacturers and involved in the construction industry, but we feel that with help from our International Trade Advisor, Sharon McCarthy, we've been able to achieve a solid platform for increased business in 2010. 

"Using UKTI has really helped our company and any business that is considering exploring opportunities abroad should get in touch to see what help they can get. We not only got expert advice but also vital funding."

Sharon McCarthy, International Trade Adviser said: "This is a terrific company that have embraced all of the support on offer to them to help them succeed and it's really starting to pay off.

"The fact that Euro Towers is starting to thrive in the current climate is testament to the value of exporting."

Any company wanting to increase their export sales should contact the UKTI International Trade Team on 0845 052 4001.