He explains: “One of the key things they need to keep in mind is getting paid. If you’re starting out, go where your money is going to be fairly secure, and one of the key places for that is Germany.”
Melba Swintex has a 220-strong workforce and won a Queen’s Award for its overseas trade success two years ago.
Paul Harrison, who has just returned from a major traffic technology exhibition in Amsterdam, says it has almost trebled its international sales since 2105.
Dave Lenehan
He added: “Once you are VAT registered in the EU and you jump through a few smaller hoops it’s not complicated.”
Graham James, director of Flexcrete Technologies, a Leyland-based manufacturer of construction chemicals has a somewhat different take. He declares: “Brexit has been absolutely horrible for us.”
Businesses in his sector are currently caught in a complex situation over common standards and factory production control marks. The problem is caused by what he describes as “a failure” in the UK-EU trade agreement to adopt mutual recognition for these standards.
There’s money to be made in Europe
He says: “The net effect has meant we are spending a very considerable amount of money having to re-test products to put them back on the market, around £150,000 of unbudgeted expenditure.
“All the test work and all the background work that has to go into this also dilutes our capacity, because we are using our technical resources and people to get us through these challenging times. That prevents us doing essential R&D to drive the business forward.
“Opportunities are being missed as a consequence. At the same time, with Brexit, we’ve lost business with customers in continental Europe.”
However, despite the problems facing his business, Paul says European territories like Germany do still offer benefits to companies new to exporting.
Graham James
He speaks of the importance of companies attending trade shows, and also making sure their websites are translated into European languages.
He says: “We are constantly looking for new areas to do business and our products are tailormade for the European markets.
“We don’t make products for the British market and then attempt to export them.
“We have the ability to make products specifically for European markets where there are different requirements, either because of the climate – Norway and Sweden require different traffic management products - or for places like Germany, where their specifications are higher than in other countries.”
Support and advice are available for Lancashire businesses exploring the possibility of exporting into Europe.
Join Lancashire Business View and DIT at our upcoming free events:
Financing your international ambitions 8-10am, 26 May Lancaster House Hotel
New to exporting 8-10am, 28 June, venue TBC Full details available at
https://bit.ly/DIT-events
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
He says: “We’ve been exporting for 30 to 40 years. We were dealing mainly with western Europe but now we are seeing a lot of business in Poland and other eastern European countries.
“Initially we were dealing with people on an exclusive supply basis where people had the rights to sell our products in that country.
“We’ve now moved away from that model, so that we now supply to a large number of companies in each country. It gives us more flexibility and more options. That’s not something you can do overnight.”
Miranda Barker Chief executive
@elancschamber
chamberelancs.co.uk
ENERGY STRATEGY: THE GOOD, THE BAD
AND THE UGLY The Good
For Lancashire’s nuclear sector, finally a commitment to new nuclear power provision for the UK. We can’t get to net zero in the next three decades and produce enough hydrogen for the green transition without it, and this could safeguard our nuclear fuels excellence, and the skills base in the county manufacturing fuels and all manner of components in the nuclear supply chain, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
But only if the government backs up this commitment and fast. Boris and crew must execute at pace, no more procrastination or rowing back on promises.
The Bad
Disappointing to see the lukewarm approach to onshore wind - shying away from such a significant source of low carbon energy at this moment demonstrates a lack of commitment to real energy transition. The only way to build capacity is to adopt a multi-modal method of energy supply to embrace a broad combination of energy sources, especially those already an established part of our supply network.
The Ugly
Appalling that at this time of rocketing energy prices, crucifying our businesses’ ability to thrive and even survive, there was no mention of energy efficiency or support for energy use reduction plans for businesses, home owners, new builds and retrofitting across the UK. The first step in any energy security, energy supply or energy transition HAS to be reduce the amount we use and will need to use into the future.
And one more thing - provide a real golden goose – give our businesses a soundly licensed green finance system - enable our householders and small businesses to take up energy saving technologies NOW and reduce their spiralling energy costs.
Need advice on energy for your business?
info@chamberlowcarbon.co.uk 01254 356400
chamberelancs.co.uk
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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