Baggage handling specialist flying high with new connections to India

Robson Handling Technology, which has over 100 years’ experience of developing and manufacturing baggage and materials handling solutions, is making new connections in the aviation industry in India.

The Sheffield-based company identified India as one of its main targets for export and had started investigating opportunities in 2020 when it heard about the India Growth Champion Scheme, run by Sheffield City Region in conjunction with UKIBC (UK India Business Council).

It was accepted onto the scheme as the company was looking to increase its export and grow its business in India.

UKIBC carried out market research and produced a detailed report for Robson Handling Technology which identified partners in sales and marketing and manufacturing, and prospects in industries such as aviation, sugar and food processing.

Stuart Westley, sales director, said: “The India Growth Champion Scheme came along at just the right time for us.

“We knew the Pune area of India is renowned for its manufacturing capabilities but were looking for help with identifying key contacts and making connections.

“We were impressed with the market research report that UKIBC produced for us which highlighted a number of potential agents and India manufacturers for us to partner with.

“We have since held several meetings with these contacts and we are confident this will lead to agreements that will start increasing our sales here.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, international advisor to Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “Robson Handling Technology may be one of Sheffield’s longest established manufacturers but they are also one of the most forward-thinking companies in terms of looking to develop new markets.

“This is what the India Growth Champions Scheme is here to support – by enabling this region’s companies to make inroads into trading with Indian businesses.

“We look forward to seeing how this progresses for Robson over the coming months and I wish them well.”

Robson Handling Technology’s top markets for aviation are the are the US, India, UK and Africa.

The company has already established a base in the US and is now exporting there. It is planning to design and engineer all the solutions for India in Sheffield, but the manufacture for those systems would be in India.

Kevin McCole, managing director, UK India Business Council, said: “It is humbling to see the progress that Robson Handling Technology has made since we first worked with them in 2020.

“They are a perfect example of the collaboration opportunities in the UK and India’s manufacturing sectors that the Growth Champions scheme support –  ‘Make In India, Design and Develop with the Sheffield City Region’.

“We wish Stuart and his team well on their visit to India and look forward to continuing our support at the India GC Trade Mission later this year.”