Member Article

Drive to increase global Yorkshire export aiming for £1.6 billion

Leeds City LEP’s We are International Export Network campaign aims to earn an additional £1.6 billion in exports and create thousands of jobs in the next five years.

More than 150 businesses across Leeds City Region have joined the campaign in a major drive to boost overseas trade.

The businesses include more than 30 export ambassador businesses, who come from virtually all ten local authority areas within Leeds City Region.

Among potential new exporters which have come forward since Leeds City Region Export Week are Eye Pharmacy, Dewsbury, which wants to explore selling pharmaceuticals overseas and SOMI Trailers, Scunthorpe, which aims to export a major new trailer within Europe.

We are International lead export ambassador, Eric Hawthorn, managing director of Radio Design Ltd, Shipley, said “There is no shortage of interest and enthusiasm from businesses who want to embrace the benefits of overseas trade and access the help available.

“We are pleased with where we are but we still need to appoint more export ambassadors and spread the message to more businesses who may not yet have identified themselves as exporters but who could benefit significantly from doing so and also businesses which would like to export but fear it will prove too complex or time-consuming.”

The most recent We are International event at commercial law firm, Pinsent Mason, Leeds, on November 12, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, saw an audience of almost 100 new and would-be exporters discover the secrets of effective selling and top ten tips for successful exporting from experts.

Author, life and sales strategist, Darren Kelly discussed his ‘3D formula’ for global sales growth, partner in Fitzpatrick International, Batley, near Bradford, Ernie Fitzpatrick, described how product analysis and studying customer needs helped him increase sales of a British-made Christmas pudding to Australia from £10,000 to £1.4m in two seasons.

Meanwhile, export sales manager with Optimum Medical Solutions, Leeds, Victoria Boldison, whose business was founded in 2008 and already exports to 50 countries, said that playing on the British brand and heritage gave confidence to overseas customers as did being open to ideas and optimistic.

She said: “You must view exporting positively and not see it as a threat.”

Alan Young, regional director for Yorkshire Bank in the East of England, who welcomed delegates, said Yorkshire Bank’s experience was that for many customers economic conditions appeared to be getting better.

This was reflected by the number of businesses coming to the Bank seeking advice and international trade finance to target new overseas markets.

The export network is a key element of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s We are International campaign. The initiative is being delivered in partnership with international trade specialists Chamber International and UKTI Yorkshire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .