Pictured above: (l-r) Re-Ball's Mehdi Sabet (MD) and Peter Hogarth

Hinckley's recently-crowned UK Trade & Investment new exporter of the year have even more to celebrate after landing a €1.7million contract with a leading German food packaging company.

Re-Ball Ltd, a small firm of five, specialise in ball screw and linear guide repair, which includes things like components to support the movement of a skyscraper during an earthquake.

After only starting to export in 2008, Re-Ball more recently expanded into German, Polish and Italian overseas markets with help from UKTI.

Anne Ford, company director said,

"Last year our European sales were worth about a third of our overall profits, thanks to help and support from UKTI. 

"We will be making a dream start to 2011 having just won a confirmed order worth 1.7 million Euros with a leading German firm, to help them improve the machinery they use to package food.  Our annual turnover, taking into account all our company outlets, is around £1 million so this a major contract for us.  We will be working closely with the firm's research and development team.

"It means we can invest further in the company by taking on an apprentice for the first time, whom we are recruiting via North Warwickshire College and the National Apprenticeship Service. Our new employee will train in the repairs side of the company and hopefully learn about all aspects of the company, including export sales to eventually work closely with our German contractors."

Peter Hogarth, UKTI's East Midlands International Trade Director, said: 

"The company has created a new market by offering a repair service to firms across Europe - which is why they were such worthy winners of this year's New Exporter award.

"Previously, firms would throw their components away and simply replace them, but Re-Ball has persuaded them that it's far more cost effective to use its service to repair and recycle."

Anne continued: 

"We will continue getting help and support from UKTI by attending a market visit to India in March and an Aerospace event to 'Meet the Buyer' in 2011. Our new year message to businesses new to exporting is to use the expertise and resources offered by the local UKTI teams."

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.