A Lichfield automotive company will be represented at a top
level group during a high-profile event on trading with Asia.
Gary Brereton, global sales manager of Charter Automotive
(formerly Valve Train Components), which supplies engine and
gearbox components to the automotive industry, will be attending
"Doing Business in Asia: Meet the Experts" on Friday 4 December at
the ICC, Birmingham, as a guest of the Asia Task Force.
He will be meeting senior business leaders and UK Trade &
Investment experts to discuss his company's success in these
markets and opportunities in Asia for other West Midlands
firms.
The event is being led by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and
organised by UK Trade & Investment and the Asia Task Force.
Gary said: "I'm delighted to be invited to attend such a
prestigious event and I'd definitely encourage any company
interested in developing business in Asia, whether or not they've
exported to this market previously, to take advantage of this
opportunity.
"We first visited Asia in 2003. Since that time, and with the
continuing support of UK Trade & Investment, we have developed
new business in a number of markets across the continent.
"We are exporting to China, India, South Korea, Thailand and
Taiwan, and based on the growing demand, we have recently
established a warehouse and distribution facility west of Shanghai
to service many of our customers across Asia.
"Our customers now include many of the global OEMs such as VW,
GM and Ford, as well as local independent manufacturers in China
and India.
"Like many automotive suppliers, Charter Automotive did
experience a slowdown in demand last year, but in Asia,
particularly China and India, new business has increased through
2009 and includes both engine and gearbox components."
Charter Automotive currently exports 97 per cent of its
£3m annual turnover to more than 25 countries. Exports to
Asia are expected to account for over 25 per cent of its global
sales by 2013.
Led by Lord Mandelson and Asia Task Force Co-Chair Lord Powell,
the event at the ICC will include briefings and practical advice
from senior business leaders and 17 UK Trade & Investment
directors of trade based in British Embassies across Asia.
Companies will be able to take part in a series of interactive
sessions on China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, South Korea, Southern China and Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Thailand and Vietnam and find out more about how UK Trade &
Investment can help them reach these markets.