Pictured above: (l-r) Stewart Towe, CEO of the Hadley Group with Doug Mahoney, UK Trade & Investment's international trade director for the West Midlands

Two Black Country companies yesterday played host to Doug Mahoney, UK Trade & Investment's (UKTI) international trade director for the West Midlands, to show how advanced engineering technology is enabling them to win new business overseas.

The Hadley Group, based in Smethwick, are manufacturers of cold rolled steel products for bespoke applications ranging from light gauge steel framing products for the construction industry to vine posts for the wine industry, while Angle Ring, of Tipton, specialises in bending and curving metal and alloys into a wide variety of shapes for structural and architectural use.

The companies, which both export across the globe, discussed their current and future export strategies with Mr Mahoney, who said: "Hadley Group and Angle Ring are outstanding examples of Black Country advanced engineering firms that are using the latest technology to beat the economic downturn by exporting. 

"The global demand for their products proves that their engineering is among the best in the world, and there is still plenty of potential for both companies to grow their business in new markets with help from UKTI."

Hadley Group was established in 1964 and has 440 employees in the UK, with a further 60 at manufacturing operations in Thailand, Dubai and Germany. The company exports to more than 30 countries across five continents, including India, South Africa, Spain, Finland and Chile, and about 20 per cent of its turnover is export business.

Company CEO Stewart Towe CBE said: "We have worked with UKTI for the past 15 years and the advice and support have been excellent, particularly the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) from its commercial teams in British Embassies around the world, which we have used on many occasions to research new markets.

"This has enabled us to design and develop new products specifically for these countries and decide on the best approach to reaching them - in India, for example, we operate under licence.

"UKTI also helped us to set up factories in Thailand and Dubai, which both manufacture light structural products for the construction industry.

"Our highest growth sectors are in areas such as solar and light rail, which have huge export potential, particularly in the Far East. We look forward to continuing to work with UKTI to maximise these opportunities."

Angle Ring has secured a number of major export contracts in France, Eastern Europe, Norway, Africa and the Middle East over the past year with help from UKTI, through the Passport to Export programme for new exporters, combined with OMIS and market visit support.

In 2010, the company supplied bent steel tubes forming a network across the Yas Island hotel which stands in the centre of the Abu Dhabi formula one Grand Prix circuit.

It has just been awarded a £210,000 project to provide curved tubes which will be fitted around oil tanks in the Middle East, for fire extinguisher use.

Other new export wins include a £150,000 deal for heavy cable drums, which will be used as lifting equipment on ships in Eastern Europe, and a £20,000 contract to bend metal tubes for a link footbridge in Krzyanow, Poland.

Established in 1951, the company has 110 employees and its export turnover is currently ten per cent and expected to grow further this year.

Associate director Nigel Darby said: "The help from UKTI has been superb, particularly the financial support for us to visit overseas markets, which put us in front of the people we needed to see. 

"Being able to have face-to-face meetings with potential clients gave them the confidence of knowing they can work with an established and professional British manufacturer and has made all the difference. We're very grateful for UKTI's support in making this happen."

Mr Mahoney added: "Independent evidence shows that successful exporters like Hadley Group and Angle Ring grow faster and are more competitive, profitable and innovative than companies that rely on the UK market. 

"We at UKTI are here to help businesses to trade internationally. Last year, we helped more than 1,000 companies in the Black Country in various ways, including bespoke advice and assistance, and support to visit markets overseas.

"I would urge any firm in the area that is thinking about exporting to contact our international trade team at Black Country Chamber of Commerce."