Hills Numberplates gets recognition from UKTI boss

BIRMINGHAM-based Hills Numberplates, the UK’s largest manufacturer of vehicle number plates, has received a visited from Dominic Jermey, the recently appointed chief executive of UK Trade & Investment.
 
Jermey was able to see at first-hand how Hills has turned around its fortunes following a general reduction in trade caused by the credit crunch. The manufacturer not only restructured its business but also expanded its export operations and maintained a strong focus on international growth.
 
Hills exports in bulk to four European countries and has a newly opened operation in Kuala Lumpur serving not only Malaysia but South East Asia generally and Hong Kong.

More recently work has begun in the Americas with projects in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean opening up new opportunities.
 
Jermey commented: “It is always encouraging to see great British manufacturing not just alive and well, but thriving in the West Midlands. The team at Hills have worked incredibly hard and shown both determination and innovation that has helped their international growth.
 
“I encourage other West Midlands companies to increase their level of exports to take advantage of benefits international markets can offer. Businesses wishing to export can contact UKTI for all the necessary help and support.”
 

Guestline expands its international operations

SHREWSBURY-based digital hospitality company Guestline has increased its presence across Asia-Pacific with a number of new software installations in independent hotels and groups in this region.

Based in Bangkok, Guestline’s cloud-based hotel and central management systems and distribution platforms are now installed in more than 30 properties across Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal and Malaysia.

Guestline has recently installed its Rezlynx property management and channel and distribution systems at the Maduzi Hotel in Bangkok. The firm’s systems are also installed across a group of eight modern hotels run by hotel management company GLOW by Zinc.
 
Guestline’s new regional director is Kitti Pornsiwakit who has more than 15 years’ experience in the IT and hospitality industry.

Rupert Gutteridge, Guestline sales and marketing director, said: “Business across the Asia-Pacific region is progressing well and we now have a growing foothold in this area with a number of new orders and new installations.”

Koolmill up for Chinese trade award

SOLIHULL-based Koolmill has been named as one of the five finalists in the Great British Product category of The British Business Awards 2014 in China.

It is up against four other UK-based businesses including Formula One and supercar manufacturer McLaren

Koolmill has 31 machines installed at six mills in China.

The company has developed an innovative milling process. Its technology delivers powers savings of around 80% in the milling process and maximises the return of food as a valuable resource by avoiding wasted rice and power.

Koolmill won the Innovator category in TheBusinessDesk.com’s West Midlands Business Masters Awards 2013.