Pictured: Nicole Howarth, managing director of Global
Freight, was recently named as one of the top three female
directors in the transports and logistics industry
Businesses should be considering a combination of import and
export if they are to remain competitive in a global marketplace,
according to Midlands international trade expert Nicole
Howarth.
Globalised production means that the import component of exports
has risen in the UK, a trend which the managing director of Global
Freight believes is necessary for economic recovery.
Mrs Howarth's call for two-way international trade follows Prime
Minister David Cameron's comments that importing low cost goods
from China should not be a sign of failure, that businesses can
then "benefit from choice, competition and low prices in
shops."
With around 60 per cent of the global GDP coming from the
growing overseas markets of the BRIC group of countries, Brazil,
Russia, India and China by 2015, Mrs Howarth believes trading
overseas can help SMEs secure post-recession survival.
But she said it is unrealistic in the current economic climate
for UK companies to concentrate solely on exports, when importing
some level of product could help lower costs for struggling UK
manufacturers.
"Companies should also be considering a combination of both
import and export, with imports often necessary for British
companies to compete on a global level playing field.
"Our client, Mistral Boilers, is a great example of a company
making the best use of international trade both importing and
exporting. Around 15 per cent of its product is imported, giving
the company the competitive edge to gain new exports to New
Zealand, the Falkland Islands and Chile. Another client, Spears of
Shrewsbury, which manufactures and imports parts for the brewery
industry, contracts us to bring in goods from China which are then
distributed across the UK."
Telford-based Global Freight also deals in cross-trade via the
Far East and South Africa with goods delivered direct to customers
in Japan, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Finland and Sweden, amongst
other destinations.
"If SMEs are taking those first steps into international trade,
it is so important to get it right first time, to demonstrate that
international trade can be an option to helping to grow businesses
post-recession. Getting it wrong could see businesses fail, doors
closed to overseas trade and vast international opportunities
lost," she added.
If your company would like more information on trading overseas
or would like advice on how Global Freight can assist with your
logistics effort, please contact 01952 270699 or email
sales@global-freight.co.uk. Global Freight is based at Unit C3,
Halesfield 23, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4NY.