Seven companies walked away with the top awards at this year's
East Midlands International Business Awards 2010 on Friday 3rd
December.
From almost trebling exports by creating a website feature to
allow people to design their dream bike, to increasing exports to
88 per cent of total sales, the award winners show how local
businesses have continued to grow by maximising international trade
to help the region climb out of the recession.
This year saw an increase in the number of award categories -
from five to seven - to recognise important aspects of developing
business overseas - Young Exporter and Innovator.
Speaking at the awards Peter Hogarth, UKTI's East Midlands
International Trade Director, said:
"It's encouraging that so many of our local businesses have
continued to grow, by maximising overseas sales which is so vital
to the economic recovery. We also noted that they were
several applicants who were relatively new to business, yet were
succeeding overseas.
"I would like to congratulate all the companies who applied for
these awards. Never before has there been such a focus on export
and with the Prime Minister heading up two major trade delegations
to India and China in the last couple of months - you can see how
important international business is to the economic recovery.
I hope these awards go some way to recognising the
considerable achievements of our finalists and to all the East
Midlands companies out there doing the business for the UK."
East Midlands International Business Award 2010
Cromwell Tools Ltd, Leicester, for increasing global sales by
over 35 per cent over the last year 2009-10. The company, who
employ 1,600 people across the world, established subsidiary
companies in both locations and overcame challenges such as
competing with local low cost alternatives.
Young Exporter Award, a new category for an individual under
35.
Iain, 34, the Commercial Director for RDC Aviation, Nottingham,
who provide consultancy and online products for the air transport
industry, ensured 88% of the customer base are international.
He did this by using web technology to showcase the firm's
products, attending industry conferences and developing a
commercial distribution agreement.
Innovative Exporter
Mercian Cycles Ltd, Derby. For increasing exports by 250%
in 12 months via a new website feature that allows visitors to
design their dream bike, and spreading the word by blogging in 97
countries.
Established Exporter BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China)
Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studio, Newark, for her continued success
in India with her award winning art glass. Since first
joining a trade mission to India in 2006 she has established a
highly lucrative market in India accounting for 40 per cent of her
turnover, with commissions including awards for Bollywood and a
contract to create the India Business Awards in Mumbai for the
British High Commission.
Established Exporter Worldwide
Dynex Semiconductor Ltd of Doddington Road, Lincoln won the
Award for servicing a truly global market. The firm, who
produce and supply semiconductors, also won this years Queens Award
for Enterprise for demonstrating outstanding achievement in growing
its overseas sales by nearly 90% over three years. In 2009
they won the East Midlands Business of the Year award for
demonstrating considerable growth.
International Business Communications
Lincoln's Househam Sprayers Ltd of Leadenham, who produce crop
sprayers, won the award for entering ten new export markets
in under a year. By focusing on developing dealership chains
in Europe and translating product support literature into the local
languages and employing a Russian speaker they have been able to
reach out to their new customers and build relationships with
dealers across Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the
Commonwealth of Independent States.
New Exporter award.
Hinckley firm Re-Ball Ltd. The firm, established in 2005
employ five people specialising in ballscrew and linear guide
repair, which includes things like supporting the movement of a
skyscraper during an earthquake. They began exporting in 2008
with help from UK Trade & investment and have now expanded into
other overseas markets, including Germany, Poland and Italy, by
re-educating international customers so they repair components
rather than replace them.
Almost 100 companies from throughout the region applied for the
awards, covering seven categories. The awards have benefited
previous winners by boosting staff morale and being seen as mark of
quality for potential clients.
The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) awards celebrate companies
that have excelled in international trade, demonstrating the
importance of exporting for business growth and sustainability.
In 2008/09 UK Trade & Investment East Midlands helped more
than 2,500 companies.
UKTI's advisers can help UK businesses to decide if they are
ready for export, investigate markets for them, find potential
business partners, provide grants for firms to go overseas and
support businesses once they are there.