Blocksil cleans up Down Under with new Australian contract
A STAFFORDSHIRE firm has secured a major deal for its anti-vandal product from a train company in Australia.
Lichfield-based Blocksil supplies an anti-graffiti, specialist liquid waterproof membrane which provides a stay-clean coating for the exterior and interior of trains.
The deal, expected to be worth up to £500k over the next 12 months, has been signed with Mason Grogan, of New South Wales. Mason Grogan is a major supplier to the rail and defence industries and provides a wide variety of speciality products including materials for train and aviation interiors, and also insulation products.
The contract came about following a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) trade visit to Australia and New Zealand last month. The eight-day visit allowed Blocksil to develop commercial opportunities in the region and meet face-to-face with potential buyers, agents and prospective business partners.
Blocksil, set up in 2012 by owner and managing director Chris Knowles, uses nano technology to create a liquid waterproofing membrane suitable for a range of applications. The anti-graffiti coating enables ink and paint to be removed using just soap and water, however, used as a roof coating it reduces CO2 emissions and saves energy.
He said: “I’ve developed lots of exciting products over the years, but none as exciting as Blocksil which works for an array of applications and in extreme temperatures, from -60°C to +200°C, so will work very well in the Australian climate.
“We’ve benefitted greatly from UKTI support in other markets such as Southern Ireland, Spain and Mongolia, and value the support we’ve had from our international trade adviser Alethea Warburton. Without the help of UKTI and its programmes, such as the OMIS (UKT’s Overseas Market Information Service), I would not have looked at the Australian market.”
It estimates that its export business has improved the overall business by about 30% in last 18 months.
“The future looks exciting with our products being tested as a stay-clean coating for street furniture in Belgium and Hong Kong,” added Knowles.
Paul Noon, UKTI’s Regional Director for the West Midlands said: “Australia is a vast country with endless opportunities for a wide range of West Midlands firms. As the fifth largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region and the 14th largest economy in the world, Australia has had 22 years of uninterrupted economic growth. New Zealand in particular has an educated and sophisticated consumer base, which makes it an ideal test market for niche and high value products and services.
“As we start Export Week, I encourage as many firms as possible to look at the opportunities for exporting to Australia – along with all the other global opportunities. Come along to one of the events taking place this week, such as ExploreExport, and talk to us about how we can help you.”
Australia ranks in the UK’s Top 20 Export Markets for goods, on a level with UAE, Canada and Sweden. Business opportunities cross multiple sectors including: science and innovation; business, consumer and financial services; education and training; environmental technologies; mining and minerals; ICT and digital media; biotechnology; energy; agribusiness; oil and gas; e-commerce and retail; aerospace, defence and security.
More information about ExploreExport or any of the events taking place as part of Export Week in the West Midlands are available at: Export Week
West Midlands Export Week Events:
Tuesday November 11
• Commercial Officer from India to hold one-to-ones with firms: Black Country Chamber of Commerce
• Metnet Conference 2014: Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire
• Emerging Europe: Ricoh Arena, Coventry
• Website optimisation and social media: De Vere Conference Centre, Birmingham
Wednesday November 12
• ACCA Business growth summit: The studio, Birmingham
• Explore Export: The ICC, Birmingham
• Webinar: Introduction to Import / Export: Web-based
• International Sales & Marketing: The Moat House, Staffordshire
Thursday November 13
• Women-led business: Austin Court, Birmingham
• Commercial Officer from Russia to hold one-to-ones with firms: Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber
Friday November 14
• Start-up Global: Millennium Point Birmingham
• Webinar: Introduction to Import / Export : Web-based
• Staffordshire Exporters event: Drayton Manor Hotel, Tamworth
• Export Roundtable: Worcestershire County Cricket club
• Staffordshire Exporter: Tower Brewery, Burton on Trent
• Commercial Officer from Los Angeles, USA, to hold one-to-ones with firms: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday November 19
• MINT: The next powerhouses: Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
