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Sweeping into China

A family-run South Tyneside firm has swept into China with the help of UK Trade and Investment.

Cottam Brush Ltd, of Hebburn, was launched in 1858 by the Cottam family as a manufacturer of brushes at a time when shipbuilding and coal mining were the region’s key industries.

More than 150 years later, the company is now run by the sixth generation of the Cottam family and it is still producing a wide range of brushes from cleaning and painting brushes to technical and pipeline brushes.

The company already exports its products around the world, including the USA, Dubai and Barbados but was keen to explore the potential in China.

Following the success of its latest trip in March the company has officially appointed a sales agent in Beijing - Beijing Pipeline Science & Technology.

Ben Cottam, Managing Director at Cottam Brush Ltd, said: “China is an exciting and rapidly developing market. Trading conditions are very different to those we’re used to in Europe, but the market can be tackled with the assistance of expert advice from UKTI.”

Dr Zhengming Yang, UKTI’s China Business Development Manager, said: “Cottam Brush Ltd has developed and changed over its lifetime as it has continually adapted to changing markets and the demands of its customers. The company was an experienced exporter but recognised that it could still benefit from the support we offer.

“China is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and offers a wealth of opportunities for North East firms, but it is not a market to be taken lightly. Its sheer size can be overwhelming and there are marked differences between the various regions within China.

“We’re delighted Cottam Brush Ltd is already reaping the rewards of its investment and would encourage other companies contemplating doing business in China to contact us to find out how we can help.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .