Export growth delivers record turnover for Warrington tech company Mini-Cam

Growing export sales have delivered a record turnover for tech firm Mini-Cam as it celebrates its 25th year in business.

The Warrington-based company saw its overall revenues increase year on year by 40%, from £7.6m to £10.6m, during the 12 months to January 31.

Mini-Cam was founded in 1991 by its MD, Nigel Wilson. The firm designs, manufactures and distributes hi-tech pipeline inspection tools such as crawler and push camera systems, which are used by water and wastewater companies and contractors to record and transmit inspection footage.

Other clients include businesses in the oil and gas, construction and engineering sectors.

This year, exports increased to account for 48% of Mini-Cam’s overall turnover, up from 41% last year. The US market saw the strongest rise after the firm secured a new distributor.

Elsewhere, sales likewise surged in Ireland, the Middle East, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, while Mini-Cam has started exporting to China for the first time. The company also signed a deal to become the chief supplier to Germany-based Ehle-HD, fuelling growth in continental Europe.

With businesses in 31 countries now using Mini-Cam’s inspection systems, the firm is expecting to expand its network further in the coming months.

To accommodate the growing overseas interest, Mini-Cam has ramped up production by acquiring a second site – 6,500 sq ft at nearby Kirkstead Way in Golborne – and increased staff numbers from 30 to 50 during the last 18 months.

Last year, Mini-Cam received backing from private equity firm LDC.

Founder Nigel Wilson commented: “The past 25 years have flown by, but it’s been an exciting journey.

“Advancing technologies always keep us focused as we look to find new technical solutions to industry problems while maintaining our commitment to provide innovative, high quality and affordable products to our customers around the world.”

He added: “Having LDC as a partner has been a key factor in helping us to accelerate our growth this year, particularly in our overseas markets.”

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