Pictured above: NSC Creative team

Leicestershire and East Midlands firms should take more advantage of export opportunities to grow this spring, according to Peter Hogarth, International Trade Director for UK Trade & Investment East Midlands (UKTI).

Latest statistics, to the end of December 2010, show that while export of manufactured goods had increased throughout the UK, the East Midlands had the smallest regional rise of 3.1 per cent, compared to the same period in the previous year. Total export sales for the region in 2010 were worth more than £15 billion.

Peter Hogarth said:

"Now we're in the new financial year it's the perfect time for local firms to recognise how it makes good business sense to export. Firms that do are proved to be more innovative, productive, profitable and resilient.

"It's disappointing that our region is still falling behind other parts of the country by having the lowest increase in exports for 2010, particularly when there are so many examples of firms flourishing."

One firm proving how lucrative exporting can be is award-winning NSC Creative, based at the National Space Centre in Leicester. It specialises in large format, immersive experiences including planetariums, fulldome films and stereoscopic 3D.  Its overseas sales increased by 50 per cent in 2010 and now accounts for more than half of all orders. Staff numbers have doubled from six to 12 on the back of this overseas success.  

Business Development Manager, Ruth Harvey said:

"Working with UKTI and going on its Passport to Export programme has helped us increase export sales by 50 per cent in 2010. UKTI has helped raise our profile in new, growing markets. UKTI advisers also assisted in setting up several overseas distributors that help maximise our market presence.

"We are currently creating a fulldome film to form part of the new Children's Museum in Cairo, as well as a fog screen, which omits fog from a projection screen. It will be opening later this year.

"Already in 2011 we've sold several new show licenses in places ranging from Hong Kong to New Delhi.  Overall we have licensed shows in 30 countries and that number is steadily increasing: given the current global economic climate this is quite a feat.

"Last year UKTI arranged for us to have a stand at the International Planetarium Society's (IPS) biannual conference held in Alexandria. This was a great networking opportunity for us and another excellent chance to raise our profile."

Peter Hogarth said: 

"NSC Creative is proving that you don't have to be a big business to go global - around 90% of local companies UKTI helps to export are SMEs. And if a company can sell a product in the UK, it can be sold anywhere by adapting it to suit the market. 

"This company is helping reinforce the UK's strong reputation for creative industries and I hope even more Leicestershire firms follow its example, particularly as there are so many opportunities for local firms in emerging high-growth markets such as the CIVETS - Columbia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt and Turkey - thanks to their rapidly-expanding consumer bases. 

"NSC Creative also shows that exporting needn't be daunting. UKTI advisers and services can help any business prepare to do business overseas by finding the right market and making the right contacts."

As part of the Government's growth agenda, Cabinet Minister Oliver Letwin recently visited  the company and was shown examples of its work.  He said 

"NSC Creative is a really inspiring example of British creativity and technological innovation. I hope the company continues to enjoy future successes throughout the UK and internationally."

Ruth Harvey's top advice for companies looking to start exporting is:

• Contact your local UKTI representative on 0845 052 4001and sign up to the 'Passport to Export' programme. This has been invaluable as it helped give us tailored help and advice and boosted our market presence.

• Get to know your market and target one market at a time. 

• You either need to get a trusted distributor to help promote and sell your service/product or be prepared to put the miles in yourself.  Don't underestimate the power of face to face time.

• Adapt your product. Each country will have varying needs and culture and that must be reflected; even in English-speaking markets NSC has had to consider the choice of narrator for films and also the use of English humour.

• Sign up to a UKTI culture and language course. This gives insight into the varied business culture in any new country and the confidence to approach a new market.