Animal magic as Genus wins China export award

GENUS, the animal breeding specialist, has won a top regional award for its trade with China.

The company, which has a base in Crewe, saw off Oldham’s Ultimate Products to win the Greater China Business Award organised by the UK Trade & Investment and the North West Development Agency.

The award recognises the company has made the most significant contribution to developing business or network links with Greater China.

Genus specialises in harvesting and exporting bull and pig semen and had been active in the Chinese market for the last 15 years.

Ultimate Products, which supplies many of the country’s largest retailers with products ranging from MP3 players to homewares, has an office in Hong Kong and also on mainland China. It has performed well in a ultra-tough retail sector.

 Also shortlisted were Chase International (Contract Services) of Cheshire, Trafford-based Leepark Holdings, Bury firm Quest Personal Care Global and Manchester companies The Route Development Group and Wang Dynasty.

Philomena Chen, head of Asia Pacific development for UK Trade & Investment said: “The winner, Genus, has shown a consistent commitment to the Chinese markets, developing high level contacts and strong local networks within a very clear strategy, and Ultimate Products were a very, very close second – the company has combined a strong approach to the market with a high commitment to investment, with the Hong Kong and mainland China offices operating as the lynchpin of both its domestic and international expansion plans.”

Runcorn-based Syntor Fine Chemicals, which supplies the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, aroma and electronic industries and has an research lab in Hangzhou, China, won the Rising Star Award.

Runner-up in this category was Stockport-based business-to-business market research company B2B International.

The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston were named as winner and runner up for the China Education Links award.

A quarter of the RNCM’s students are from China and the institution has links with the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory, Sichuan Conservatory and Wuhan Conservatory.

Also shortlisted were Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Suman Education International in Old Trafford and Wade Deacon High School, Widnes.

Bankers from HSBC in Manchester won the  Greater China Recognition Award for its  long-standing commitment and support to UK Trade & Investment’s China trade development activities in the North West.

Jason Butler, HSBC’s regional international commercial manager, said: “UKTI and HSBC understand international trade, together can they help the UK go from Made in China to Made for China.”

Clive Drinkwater, International Trade Director for UK Trade & Investment North West said: “North West exports to China have been rising steadily over recent years as the Chinese economy becomes an increasingly important world player. From 2007 to 2008, NW exports to China rose by 32%, from £471m to £623m.”