West Midland firms to grill Trade Minister on export challenges

CHALLENGES facing mid-sized businesses in the West Midlands as they look to increase their export levels are set to be aired at a top level meeting between entrepreneurs and Trade Minister Lord Livingston today.

A cross-section of firms from the region has been invited to participate in a round table discussion with the Minister at the NEC, organised to coincide with the start of the Autumn Fair.

Companies participating are lock manufacturer Lowe & Fletcher, based in Wednesbury; Denys Shortt’s DCS Group, from Stratford-upon-Avon; Twyford Bathrooms, Stoke-on-Trent; pottery manufacturer and retailer Portmeirion Group, Stoke-on-Trent and aggregates giant Lafarge Tarmac, from Solihull.

Also attending will be representatives from UK Trade & Investment; BDO in Birmingham; CBI West Midlands and Oxfordshire; BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) and UK Export Finance.
 
Lord Livingston said: “The West Midlands has some outstanding mid-sized businesses which are succeeding in overseas markets and making an important contribution to the regional economy.

“However, evidence suggests that our medium sized companies are still not exporting as much as our European counterparts.

“This is why we are focusing our attention on providing a highly focussed package of support for these companies. There is no doubt that, with the right support and encouragement, we can boost our exports from this important sector and create more jobs and growth for all regions of the UK.”

Stephen Breslin, Export Manager, Twyford Bathrooms said the firm had benefitted from working with UKTI in growing its overseas business.

“We now have Twyford Belfast sinks in all 11 of Jamie Oliver’s overseas Italian restaurants,” he said.

“Another prestigious contract is Harrow School, Hong Kong, where we have supplied them with all their bathroom sanitary ware.”

Paul Noon, UKTI Regional Director for the West Midlands, said research had shown that exporters did better when they worked in conjunction with the agency.

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