Lincolnshire businesses are being invited to question the international experts by taking part in a special export Q&A.

The International Trade Panel in Lincoln on Wednesday, 9 November will provide access to export experts and local companies with experience of success in international markets, including Leadenham-based leading suppliers of agricultural sprayers, Househam Sprayers, and Castlet Ltd, who provide engineering solutions for the aerospace and defence sector.

Organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and UK Trade & Investment the panel will be chaired by James Pinchbeck, former Lincolnshire Branch Chairman and current IoD Policy Officer, and David Dexter, Lincolnshire Regional Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses and Vice-Chairman of the Lincolnshire LEP. Advisors from UKTI will also be on hand.

Ron Lynch, IoD East Midlands Regional Director, said:

"Whether your business is new to exporting or you are an established exporter, the trade panel will help delegates to learn more about different markets.  

"There will be the chance  to hear what expert advisers have to say about opportunities arising through changing economies, and learn how other local companies have continued to grow through export, or how they successfully navigated a potential pitfall. "

Ian Morrison, Deputy Regional Trade Director for UK Trade & Investment East Midlands, said:

"Lincolnshire businesses need to embrace exporting if they want to grow. Overseas companies are clamouring for UK-made goods and across Lincolnshire we've got a diverse array of excellent companies that need to ensure they take full advantage of the opportunities out there.

"This event gives companies the chance to ask questions of experts and local companies that are already succeeding in exports. So, whatever your worries or concerns, come along and find out how you can do it. The rewards from exporting are excellent but you need to take the first steps and find out more."

Other panel members include Ian Barnes, Professor Emeritus and Jean Monnet, Professor of European Economic Integration at the University of Lincoln.

Bryan Carr, Managing Director of Castlet Ltd, will be on the panel. The award-winning company's industrial division, which specialises in electronic/electrical pollution control equipment, has a 25 per cent share of the world market for power stations, steel works, cement factories and other applications.  Last year 75 per cent of this business was exported to 38 countries. 

Bryan said:

"Exporting has secured Castlet's future and enabled us to hold up well during the recession. Without the high number of exports we would certainly have struggled.

"Anyone looking to export needs to look for the hanging fruit- the easiest markets to start with, people who already have an interest in your product, and start from there.

"Exporting is no harder than UK trade. If you have a high quality product or service you will do well both in the UK and overseas." 

Leadenham-based award-winning agricultural engineers Househam Sprayers exports across the globe. This year alone orders have been clinched from Australia to Austria and from Norway to New Zealand.

Robert Willey, Managing Director of Househam Sprayers, will be offering his advice to local companies. He said:

"If we hadn't sold our products overseas we would not be the company we are today. Since we began a proactive push five years ago we have raised exports so they now account for 20 per cent of our business. This means we have been able to take on more local staff, provide them with a good career path and progress the business by ensuring there is money available for new development work.

"We made a conscious decision to proactively export and dedicated time and resources to it. This has enabled us to grow our company.  The gains have been incredible.

"Dealing with international companies has been no different to dealing with a UK company. We have what overseas firms are looking for here: world leading services and products." 

The International Trade Panel event takes place at the Robert Hardy Theatre, Bishop Grosseteste University College, Newport, Lincoln, on Wednesday, 9 November from 5pm till 7pm.

Visit www.iod.com/eastmidlands to register or find out more. 

To find out more exporting call the UKTI East Midlands export hotline on 0845 052 4001.