Member Article

North East export support business completes first successful China trade visit

Fast Track China (UK) Ltd, a North East private enterprise aimed at supporting companies’ growth through exporting to China, has led its first business sales mission.

The company was established in April 2014, with its UK base at Prestwick Business Park, near Newcastle International Airport, manned by both export professionals and Chinese nationals.

The company also has a China-based team, located in Zhengzhou, which works directly with clients to promote and develop their interests in the country.

The mission saw clients from the UK and Europe travel to Zhengzhou for the official opening of a purpose-built Exhibition and Trading Centre, the development of which was supported by the Fast Track China team, which runs the site, supported by the Provincial Government.

Fast Track China is led by its Chairman, Dr Zhengming Yang, who was, for nine years, business development manager for China at UK Trade & Investment in the North East.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard Sice, is a Chartered Marketer with expertise in supporting the export of manufacturing and service industry businesses.

Among the services Fast Track China offers is prime positioning in the Exhibition Centre, as well as arranging special events to highlight products and services from the UK and Europe, along with meetings with selected buyers for the China market.

A second outbound mission is scheduled for May 2015, with an inward visit coming to the UK in June. Plans for 2015 also include the development of two further centres in China.

Customers which made the trip to Zhengzhou included the following North East manufacturers: Zytronic based in Blaydon; Innovative International Technologies and also Sevcon in Gateshead, Fit Infrared in Darlington and training service industries such as Annie Barr Associates in Stocksfield, Northumberland.

Mr Sice said: “This was the first of what we expect to be many sales missions to China to support businesses in the UK and Europe, which might otherwise be hesitant over entering the Chinese market, or developing their position there.

“Our service doesn’t start and finish with taking businesses to Zhengzhou and positioning them at prominent exhibitions.

“These firms will benefit from ongoing support from our bilingual, dual-based team, which assists with everything from the translation of marketing materials to the introduction of target audience buyers.

“Additionally, we ensure payments are made in Sterling, Dollars or Euros, to ease these first steps into a strong, growing market.

“The overall package of support helps companies to achieve a soft landing in the Chinese market, and we are unique in being a private provider of a ‘total’ exhibition and sales service.