Redcar tech firm sees exporting sales soar over 150%

A Teesside manufacturer of formulation processing equipment has its sights set on expansion in India after seeing its export sales increase by 150 per cent over the past three years.

Micropore Technology, founded in 2003, designs and produces machinery for making particles and emulsions – mixtures of two liquids that would otherwise not mix – for customers across the pharmaceutical, food and drink, household chemical and fragrance sectors.

The business currently exports to customers across the Americas, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Chile and Canada.

In addition to its headquarters in Redcar, Teesside, the company has a US office in High Bridge, New Jersey.

Dai Hayward, CEO of Micropore Technologies, said: “Exporting is a key element of Micropore’s business strategy, and has brought increased profitability and resilience to our company.

“One challenge that we faced was identifying and accessing buyers in international markets, but DIT has helped us by introducing us to new contacts and supporting us on the trade mission to India. With their support, we’ve been able to build our networks of contacts in-market and secure new business opportunities.

“From these initial contacts, we’re now working closely with expert DIT advisers in India, as well as here at home in the North East, to build on this success. Exporting can sometimes be tricky to get your head around, but there is a wealth of support available to help businesses succeed overseas. If a business like ours can do it, others can too.”

Exporting currently accounts for approximately 50 per cent of the company’s total revenue, up from 20 per cent in 2015.

In the coming year, Micropore is projecting its income from exporting to reach £200k, and is aiming to increase its export turnover to £1m by 2023.

Recognising opportunity to grow its export sales in the £110.5bn Indian chemical industry, Micropore has participated in three chemical industry trade missions to India since 2016, organised by the Department for International Trade (DIT) for firms from across the North East.

The DIT Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Services trade missions - run in partnership with the North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) - have enabled Micropore to meet and network with key pharmaceutical buyers in Bangalore and Hyderabad, along with chemical manufacturers in Mumbai.

David Coppock, regional director of North East, Department for International Trade, commented: “Micropore Technology is a great example of a home-grown firm who have built a strong reputation abroad.

“The company has capitalised on the huge international demand for British products by proactively seeking out new markets and meeting prospective customers overseas.

“In addition to running regular trade missions tailored to everything from technology to craft and design, DIT has a team of 19 expert international trade advisers based across the North East to help businesses kick start, or boost, their exporting activity. I’d urge anyone who was interested to get in touch.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →