A Birmingham signal manufacturer has seen a dramatic rise in
turnover, after successfully increasing exports from 26 per cent to
50 per cent of its turnover in just 18 months.
With an annual turnover of more than £2m in 2010, Moflash
Signalling Ltd has seen a growth of 60% in the first half of 2011.
One of the largest independent manufacturers of signalling devices
in the UK - the company has harnessed the support of UK Trade &
Investment (UKTI) in sourcing opportunities across the world to
help achieve its remarkable success.
Based in Tyseley, Moflash Signalling produces a range of visual
and signalling devices for a number of markets including the
industrial, fire and safety, marine and process control markets. It
also manufacturers buzzers, hooters, bells and air horns formerly
produced by Klaxon Signals.
Set up in October 1997 by Simon Evans and joint business partner
Marc Bailey, Moflash Signalling was quick to see the value of
exporting. The company joined UKTI's Passport to Export programme
for new exporters in 1998. Following the success of this, in 2009,
Moflash joined the Gateway to Global Growth programme, which offers
a tailored, needs-based service with training and ongoing support
for exporters with two to ten years' experience.
The Gateway programme includes an in-depth export review,
assistance in formulating an international trade strategy,
networking opportunities to share best practice and signposting to
funding streams such as financial support for market visits. During
the 12 month programme, Moflash was assisted on a number of market
research visits to North America and Australia and received
financial assistance to attend several trade shows including two
major trade fairs in Germany - 'SPC Drives' in Nuremburg, and
the Hannover Trade Fair. The visit to Australia was helped by a
free British Airways return flight through a partnership with UKTI
and as a result of the visit, Australia now provides Moflash with
more than £200,000 of business per year.
Simon Evans says:
"Exports have been crucial to our business success and now
account for 50 per cent of our turnover. We couldn't have achieved
as much as we have in exporting without the support of UKTI. The
help we've had to research, visit and succeed in new markets has
been fantastic."
Moflash's product range is sold via a network of distribution
partners in more than 25 countries world wide. The company has had
particular success in former Eastern bloc countries and has
recently picked up distribution partners in Poland, Czech Republic
and Balkans.
Simon continues:
"We are lucky in that ours is a health and safety led business
so our products are always in demand. Former eastern bloc countries
new to the EU, or looking to join the EU need to comply with EU
health and safety regulations, so these are great areas for growth
for our high quality visual and signalling devices products."
"Our International Trade Advisers from UKTI are like extended
members of the business. We've worked with two Advisers over the
years, initially Jonathan Webber, and then three years ago, Mark
Sankey became our Adviser - both have been immensely helpful. We
contact them for advice about all sorts of things, and they contact
us whenever they feel there is a market opportunity we shouldn't
miss."
UK Trade & Investment international trade adviser Mark
Sankey based at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, says:
"The team at Moflash have achieved outstanding results with
their strategic approach to exporting. I'm delighted that we have
been able to help and look forward to continuing to work with the
company."