Member Article

Champions of North East export celebrated

The Champions of North East exports were unveiled at the prestigious North East Exporters’ Awards Dinner at Durham’s Ramside Hall Hotel.

The annual awards ceremony and dinner recognises the achievements of the region’s top export champions whose efforts are making a huge contribution to both the regional and UK economies.

Big winner of the evening was explosion-proof electrical equipment manufacturer, A-Belco, which picked up the Overall Exporter of the Year Award as well as the SME Exporter of the Year.

Now in their 19th year, the awards are sponsored by the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) and HSBC.

Six winners were announced at last night’s gala dinner, including a firm of thermal imaging experts, mechanical engineers and a specialist in nutrition.

James Rambsotham, chief executive of NECC, said: “The achievements of these companies who are setting the regional pace in exports should not be underestimated - their skill and effort have helped the North East reap the rewards of going global.

“These are the businesses helping ensure that the North East is the only region in the country with a long-standing positive balance of trade and that our region performs above the national average in exports on a per-capita basis.

“The latest NECC Quarterly Economic Survey demonstrated that manufacturing firms in our region currently have more sales and orders on their books than at any time since we started conducting the survey, which is brilliant news.

“NECC, through the global chamber network, is committed to forging new trade links across the world and continues to work hard to provide opportunities for North East businesses to export overseas.”

Pat Dellow, area commercial director at HSBC said: “International trade is at the heart of HSBC – as a bank formed to facilitate international trade between Hong Kong and the rest of the world is it built into our heritage and forms a key part of our efforts today.

“HSBC helped numerous North East companies grow their international business during 2013 and we’re delighted to once again support the North East Exporters’ Awards to recognise the efforts of forward-thinking individuals and companies that boost the region’s economy by taking their products all over the world.”

The winners of this year’s awards are:

CorDEX Instruments Ltd - New Exporter Award: sponsored by Fentimans - CorDEX Instruments Ltd develops and manufactures safe and explosion proof inspection and imaging devices including digital cameras, ultrasonic testers, IR Windows and Laser Meters. The latest product developed is the world’s first and only intrinsically safe thermal imaging camera. CorDEX is focused on expanding sales into European and North American markets while also investigating new markets such as the Middle East and South America.

Glanbia Performance Nutrition - Mid & Large Exporter of the Year: sponsored by UKTI - Glanbia Performance Nutrition of Middlesbrough manufactures functional food bars for the sports nutrition, weight management and healthy eating markets. Its export sales grew substantially last year, up £7.5 million to £9 million. Its products are used in Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Italy and it also exports to Russia. Export sales accounted for under 4% of the total turnover which leapt to more than 20% in 2013, with turnover increasing from £49 million to £69 million.

A-Belco Ltd - SME Exporter of the Year sponsored by Arthur J Gallagher - Specialising in explosion proof electrical equipment, A-Belco Ltd made significant inroads into the oil and gas industry. The Ashington-based company has broken into the Scandinavian, UAE, Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean markets. Export sales have increased by 40% from 2011 to 2012 and again by 40% in 2013. Export sales now account for 56% of turnover, against 21% in 2011.

SOLO Thermal Imaging Ltd - Export Team of the Year sponsored by North East Chamber of Commerce - SOLO Thermal Imaging Ltd designs and manufactures the smallest, lightest thermal imaging cameras in the world. The family business, based in Darlington, has driven export activity in recent years, with the cruise ship sector one of its biggest markets. It has also designed a totally integrated helmet with thermal camera, breathing apparatus and communications to assist in extreme firefighting conditions. Last year the business secured a five-year deal in Russia, and also has representation in Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Bulgaria and South Africa.

Evolution Forwarding Ltd - Supporting Export Award sponsored by Evolution Business and Tax Advisors LLP - Evolution Forwarding of Middlesbrough is expert in handling hazardous items, resulting in total export sales rising from £385k in 2012 to £738k in 2013. Despite launching without a single client in the middle of recession, Evolution achieved a turnover of £182k in its first year of trading and export work now represents 90% of turnover. Client base has increased from 20 to 70 regular export accounts.

A-Belco Ltd Testing Ltd - Overall Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by HSBC

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East Chamber of Commerce .