Picture caption: Trade Minister Lord Green at the
Nottinghamshire headquarters of Payne
With just a year to go before the start of the London Olympic
and Paralympic Games, Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green
attended an event at Loughborough University on Wednesday 27th
July, to urge local companies to make the most of the export
opportunities that exist around major sporting events.
Lord Green gave a keynote speech at the event, organised by the
local UK Trade & Investment team (UKTI), to highlight overseas
sporting-related opportunities ranging from construction and
transport to ticketing and training.
The Minister said:
"The UK and the East Midlands have an unprecedented chance to
showcase their abilities on the world stage, not only as a leading
host of sporting occasions but also as a source of innovative
products and services.
"Additionally, the sporting-related opportunities for businesses
don't start and end in 2012. There is considerable potential for
exports in Brazil as it plans for the 2014 World Cup and 2016
Olympics. Another emerging market is Russia, which will host the
2014 Winter Olympics and is planning to build new stadia for the
2018 World Cup.
"Selling your goods and services overseas is more vital than
ever in helping the economy to grow. Therefore I was
encouraged to see so many companies here today finding out more
about these opportunities and how to make the most of the expertise
of local trade advisors. UKTI is keen to support these companies,
and was last year voted the best trade promotion organisation in
the world.
"Today's event was also a great way to mark the 'year to go' to
the start of the Games and show how Loughborough is playing its
part, with the University hosting the main Team GB preparation camp
as well as being the home of Team Japan. "
More than 80 local delegates had the chance to hear from
businesses that have won high value sporting contracts. They were
also able to attend workshops around opportunities in Brazil,
Russia and Japan.
Export sales to Japan by UK firms have shown a dip recently
after the March earthquake and tsunami. This is why the event also
looked at how local companies can play their part to help the
country in its recovery, with the message underlined that Japan is
very much open for business.
The Minister then visited a trio of local manufacturers,
including Nottinghamshire packaging specialists Payne, and its
sister company, Payne Security, who are currently celebrating their
centenary year.
Paynes' export sales are worth 95 per cent of its total turnover
and Payne Security recently attended a Buckingham Palace reception
after winning a Queen's Award for Enterprise earlier this year for
its innovation.
Lord Green also visited Umeco Composites Structural Materials
(UCSM) in Heanor, Derbyshire, where he saw sporting goods, made
from the firm's advanced composite materials, which have been used
by past and present Olympians.
He heard about how the company is boosting export sales by
specifically targeting emerging markets such as China and
Brazil.
The day finished with a tour of Nottinghamshire's Hardstaff
Group's facilities, based in Kingston on Soar, to see how its low
carbon expertise is helping standard vehicles to run reliably and
efficiently on natural gas.
The company is now internationally recognised for its
engineering excellence and focusing on the overseas markets of
Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Lord Green commented:
"I've been really impressed with the quality and innovative
spirit shown by the companies I've had the chance to visit today.
All are leading the way when it comes to overseas success, helping
put this region firmly on the export map."