A Black Country designer and manufacturer of aluminium wheels
has won a major new contract in Australia, with help from UK Trade
& Investment.
Using the latest technology, Rimstock plc, of Church Lane, West
Bromwich, specialises in high end advanced products for the
motorsport industry and luxury vehicle companies such as Aston
Martin, Lotus, Jaguar and Bentley.
The company has just secured a three-year contract worth about
£450,000 to supply the prestigious Australian V8 Supercar
Championship with its Team Dynamics forged wheels, after taking
part in the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis last
year with financial support from UK Trade & Investment.
Marketing director Matt Neal said: "This is fantastic new
business which will showcase our wheels at one of the world's top
racing series, in rigorous environments ranging from the streets of
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit to the mountain and fast straights of
Bathurst.
"We have been working with UK Trade & Investment for a
number of years, firstly through its Passport to Export programme
for new exporters, and are continuing to work with our
international trade adviser, Paul Keeling, whose advice and support
have been invaluable.
"We have become much more focused on exporting as a result, and
UK Trade & Investment's financial support for us to attend
international shows and visit potential clients in new markets has
also been most welcome.
"About 25 per cent of our £12m annual turnover is overseas
business and we are on course to increase our export sales
significantly over the next financial year. We are now exporting to
more than 40 countries, including across mainland Europe and to the
USA, the Middle East and Iran."
The company currently has 165 employees but is now increasing
this number by an additional 20, to deal with the demand generated
by the development of overseas clients.
International trade adviser Paul Keeling, based at Black Country
Chamber of Commerce, said: "Rimstock is a great example of
manufacturing excellence in the West Midlands.
"The team continue to expand into new overseas markets with a
focused and strategic approach. We at UK Trade & Investment in
the Black Country are looking forward to helping them to further
success."
UK Trade & Investment's flagship Passport to Export
programme provides a package of support for new or novice
exporters, including a free export health check, attendance at an
export workshop, assistance in formulating an international trade
strategy and matched funding to help implement this strategy,
quality training and mentoring advice and access to the full range
of UK Trade & Investment services.