BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES inspire CASE STUDY


How Brexit uncertainty turned to opportunity


NAME: Tracy Ruff


POSITION: International trade manager E: tracy.ruff@businesswest.co.uk


T: 01275 370766


Avon Valley Precision Engineering (AVPE) is a successful and rapidly growing SME specialising in precision-engineered manufacturing for the defence and aerospace sectors. In the aftermath of the EU referendum, AVPE were concerned about a number of business-critical issues, and were keen to maintain business continuity in the face of these challenges. Aerospace supply chains are often complex, involving significant levels of cross-border trade and supply- chain dependency. AVPE were keen to better understand the impact of Brexit on various certification regulations relating to the chemical coatings applied to many of their products. AVPE were also keen to train their staff on potential export documentation required under a range of Brexit scenarios. As a business involved in a number of ‘just in time’ supply of goods which extend across multiple European and non-European countries, AVPE wanted to protect the supply chains in which they operate, shielding and enhancing their competitive edge. A lack of clarity regarding the UK’s ongoing


compliance with REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations were also identified as a potential stumbling block for planning and operations. Faced with these challenges, AVPE approached Business West for bespoke support from the Trading Through Brexit team. The consultancy project that followed identified areas of AVPE’s business model which would potentially be exposed under a no deal scenario, and provided robust contingency planning advice to help ensure continuity of trade under these circumstances. AVPE’s managing director Mark Summers


said: “We asked Business West to help us better understand the potential impacts of Brexit on our business. All advice was comprehensive: Business West managed to disseminate detailed


‘We asked Business West


to help us better understand the potential impacts of Brexit’


technical information into far more understandable layman’s terms. My team now have a far better grasp on the challenges we face and how we need to amend our internal processes and systems accordingly.” Trading Through Brexit has supported hundreds of businesses to better understand the various real-life outcomes and scenarios associated with Brexit. As one of the UK’s largest business support organisations, Business West are committed to helping companies reach their potential, and navigate risk and uncertainty.


If you would like to discuss bespoke Brexit-related support for your business,


please get in touch with us at tradingthroughbrexit@businesswest.co.uk,


FACTFILE


COMPANY: Avon Valley Precision Valley Engineering


LOCATION: 34 Bath Rd, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HZ


WHAT WE DO: Using the latest CNC technology, AVPE [Avon Valley Precision Engineering] manufactures high-quality precision engineered components for the Aerospace and Defence sectors, supplying Prime, Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers.


HISTORY:AVPE, established in 1997, mainly operates in the Aerospace & Defence sectors. Operating from a 2,500 sq. m facility, AVPE manufactures components for Production and Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) with rapid response “Fast Shop” capability.


VISIT: www.avpe.co.uk


What does your role at Business West involve? Essentially, I am here to help companies to export – so I am either on the phone answering queries about export or I am working on Business West’s Export for Growth programme.


What were you doing before you worked at Business West? I had been working in Germany as I spoke German, I got a job with Bristol Chamber on an EU project to help business understand the implications of the UK joining the Single Market. I thought I’d only stay for six months, but that was over 30 years ago. It’s somewhat ironic that I am now answering questions on the UK exiting the EU!


What is the most unusual business you’ve encountered? It never ceases to amaze me the things companies successfully export overseas. Recently I was speaking to a company who were trying to arrange plant health certificates for weekly shipments of bamboo to Dubai. Why weekly shipments I asked? Well, the bamboo was to feed two koala bears and they like their bamboo to be fresh.


What is your top tip for anyone starting out in business? There is so much support and advice available for someone starting a business. Take advantage of what is on offer – but ultimately follow your own path.


What are your interests outside work? I love to travel and when I am not travelling I love to research and plan future trips.


JULY/AUGUST 2019 insight 13 INSIDER


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