Mar 17, 2021

Our 25 Welsh export champions that are doing the business globally The companies on the list are winning orders across the globe 02:00, 17 MAR 2021 Subscribe When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Thank you for subscribingWe have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice While the UK domestic market is hugely important, for the Welsh economy to thrive it needs more firms winning orders for their products and services overseas. And here we feature 25 Welsh export champions that are doing just by driving impressive growth in overseas markets ranging from food and drink industry to manufacturing. This is by no means a definitive list and we would love to hear from other businesses that are growing and selling their products globally. 1. Air Covers Ltd Air Covers in Wrexham (Image: air covers) The Wrexham-based Air Covers designs and manufactures environmental protective helicopter covers for the public sector, corporate and high net worth individuals. The company, which was founded in 2006, was named a Queen Award Winner for International Trade. Air Covers has entered markets in USA and Italy and now is market leader for super yacht helicopter covers in Canada and the United States. Other key markets are in Europe and Australia. The company is a listed supplier to the world’s two largest manufacturers of helicopters, Airbus and Leonardo and has also diversified into land and marine protection. Overseas sales is around 56% of total sales. 2. Atlantic Service Company Atlantic Service Company Atlantic Service Company, a Newport-based manufacturer of butchery equipment, is internationally renowned for its high-quality blades used to cut meat and fish. Its products can be found in food processing plants, butchers and fishmongers all over the globe with clients spanning across five continents. Exports make up 80% of its trade – up 10% in the last year alone - and it has distributors in Europe, South and Central America, the Middle East, and China. Despite already having a large international order book, Atlantic Service is hoping to increase this further and sees expansion in Russia- one of the largest meat processing markets in the world – as a key route to future business growth. 3. Bisley Bisley Newport based office furniture manufacturer Bisley has been exporting since about 1978 and today international sales account for around 55% of total turnover. The company sells to businesses in 28 countries and has its own sales and operations centres in seven of them, namely the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, UAE and America. Last year Bisley completed 1,200 deliveries of furniture worth £33m into Europe. Bisley’s subsidiary in North America has continued to grow despite the pandemic and is projected to reach $10m turnover, having secured a $5m deal with one of the world’s largest banking organisations for two locations in Texas. The order included 8,000 lockers and 350 of Bisley’s new VetroSpace health meeting pods. In the Middle East, Bisley recently won a material order for Kuwait University, which was the largest construction site in the Middle East. Bisley has supplied furniture to most of the college buildings on the campus, which is one of the largest educational campuses in the world. 4. British Rototherm British Rototherm Over the past 177 years, British Rototherm has made a name for itself as a world-leading manufacturer and global distributer of precision instrumentation, exporting to over 90 countries worldwide and with a host of major multinationals on its client list including ExxonMobil, Heineken, Intel, Emerson and GlakoSmithKline. And last year, the Port-Talbot based company expanded into the production of personal protective equipment, delivering face shields and face masks for the nation’s front line healthcare workers. The manufacturer’s largest markets include South East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and notably, Mexico and the US, which it sees as key growth markets. Following the launch of a new product in 2018, the company has seen consistent growth over the last three years and secured a number of large contracts in Mexico in 2020. Read More It expects to more than double sales in 2021 thanks to further demand in Mexico and USA. Following the success of its products in North and South American markets, Rototherm is looking to increase its headcount and expand to a larger office location for its US base, currently in Houston. 5. Corgi Corgi Ammanford-based luxury handmade sock and knitwear manufacturer, Corgi, was founded in 1893 in the small Welsh mining village where it is still located today, starting out life as an independent haberdashery kitting out local miners before quickly growing to service clothing retailers across the UK. In the 1940s, Corgi struck a deal with iconic American fashion brand, Brooks Brothers – the oldest clothing retailer in the US – marking the start of its export journey. These days, the company enjoys a substantial international customer base spanning more than 30 countries. In the last five years, Corgi has entered 15 new markets after placing a drive on exports, including China and Australia, boosting turnover by a third. While it currently has contracts with distributors in Beijing and Shanghai, Corgi is hoping to broaden its presence to other Chinese cities such as Shenzhen. And, after securing its first contract in South America last year, the company is also aiming to grow its sales in the region. 6. CPR Global Tech Ltd CPR Global Tech, Swansea (Image: CPR Global Tech, Swansea) CPR Global Tech has won the Queen's Award for international trade in 2018 and 2020. The Swansea-based firm manufactures the CPR Call Blocker range of products, the global bestseller of standalone call blocking technology. Andrew Sandbrook started the company in 2010 in response to the growing problem of nuisance calls in the UK. The telecommunications company’s aim was to produce technology that puts the consumer back in control of their privacy without the need to change their telephone numbers. Over the past three years overseas sales have grown year-on-year from £1.5m to £4.6m, a total rise of 209%. Overseas sales account for 96.7% of total sales. Its main market is the USA, where it is the market leader in what is the largest market for its type of products in the world, and it also exports to France, Italy, Australia and Canada. 7. Direct Healthcare Group The Caerphilly-based healthcare company Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) is expecting a 49% leap in business growth over the next 12 months taking turnover to a forecasted £89.4m, following a surge of growth for the healthcare sector. The company is now a global leader in the manufacture and provision of medical products for patients with limited mobility and its exports stand at £27.6million in the year to December, they claim to hold a 15% market share across Europe. It took five months' worth of orders in two weeks as lockdowns were imposed last spring. And from that springboard they acquired four businesses in the past year, including Sweden-based GATE Rehab Development and Handicare Patient Handling Europe, Finland-headquartered Carital Group Oy and UK-based Lynch Healthcare Group. The Group, which employs over 500 people, is also preparing to make further acquisitions over the next year. 8. Flamgard Shuresh Maran, business development manager at Flamgard Pontypool manufacturer Flamgard Calidair designs and supplies fire and blast protection equipment for ventilation systems in the nuclear, tunnel and oil and gas industries. Its products, which help to contain smoke, fire, toxic gases and blast waves, have been used in major international projects all over the world including the Safe Confinement dome in Chernobyl and the Riyadh metro system in Saudi Arabia. Today, exports account for 75% of its trade, with the company exporting to more than 10 countries across the EU, Australia, US, South America and South East Asia. Following growing success overseas, Flamgard is now projecting record breaking turnover for 2021, which it aims to double by 2025 by expanding its international portfolio of clients and penetrating new sectors. 9. Halen Mon Halen Mon's Alison Lea Wilson North Wales family firm, Halen Môn, export its famous Anglesey sea salt to over 10 countries around the world and supplies many of the world’s top restaurants. Its products are enjoyed by the likes of former US President, Barack Obama, and exports account for around a fifth of its business with customers across Europe, the US, South East Asia and Australia, including global chocolate brand, Green and Blacks, through its manufacturing factories in Poland and Germany. Over the last year, Halen Môn has taken part in a number of virtual trade missions, supported by the Welsh Government, which have led to it securing new distributors in Australia and Singapore. The company is also currently in the process of speaking to importers in the UAE, Japan, Qatar, Canada and Switzerland about potential deals, having sent out samples to the regions. 10. Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Georgia Gascoyne, managing director of Huntingdon Fusion Technologies in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire With a worldwide distributor network spanning more than 50 countries, exports are a major focus for Burry Port manufacturer, Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, which specialises in weld purging technology designed to prevent the oxidisation, discolouration and corrosion of metal pipes and tubes. Accounting for an impressive 85% of its sales, exports are a huge part of the business with the company boasting leading international clients including Elon Musk founded SpaceX, the space programme which aims to colonise Mars; EDF, GKN Aerospace and Airbus. In November 2020, the Carmarthenshire firm was involved in the SpaceX Crew-1 mission which carried NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. And looking ahead, Huntingdon has a number of other exciting prospects planned including liquid CO2 freeze kits for a large project in Italy, as well as a sizeable order for steel mechanical plugs from Morocco. It has also set its sights on expanding its presence in South America once travel restrictions are eased. 11. Hydro Industries CEO of Hydro Industries Wayne Preece The Langennech-based water treatment technology is looking to accelerate its global expansion plans with a focus on the Middle East. Last year Hydro secured a lucrative contact with Egypt’s East Gas Company to deliver a water treatment plant to service an oil terminal on the Red Sea coast, near the popular tourist resort of Hurghada. In a 10 year contract, one of the biggest ever secured by an indigenous SME, Hydro will ensure that all water discharged back into the Red Sea meets strict new environmental standards set by the Egyptian Environmental Agency. The first plant using its technology is expected to go live later this year. If it goes to plan more plants are expected to use Hydro’s technology in Egypt. Hydro employs around 70 at its Llangennech HQ while it is actively recruiting in Egypt, where it has approaching 30 staff. In Saudi it has significant growth plans. It is already working in Kuwait, another marketplace where Hydro is upbeat on its growth outlook. 12. Ifor Williams Trailers Ifor Williams Trailers mobile clinical unit at Corwen (Image: Picture Mandy Jones) Ifor Williams is Europe's largest trailer maker and its products can be bought all over the world. Produced in its four factories in Cynwyd, Corwen, Sandycroft and on Deeside Industrial Estate the trailer firms has distribution centres in more than 20 countries worldwide. The company, which started more than 60 years ago, said say sales of their innovative Business Inabox model - that can be used to set up shop in different places - have been soaring across the UK and farther afield as companies adapt to the new challenges posed by the pandemic. And, as shirt sponsors of Wrexham AFC the Corwen-based firm might see interest in its trailers grow in the US after Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in the football club. 13. Mangar Health Clare Birt, marketing director Mangar Health After 40 years of supplying inflatable lifting equipment to healthcare markets globally, Powys based medical device manufacturer Mangar Health still recognises exporting as a priority for business growth. While Mangar Health’s lifting cushions can be found on every emergency ambulance in the UK, the company has also set its sights on targeting emergency service organisations in Australia, North America and Europe. Last year, the company was awarded a million-pound contract with Ambulance New South Wales in Australia – the second Australian ambulance service to select Mangar’s ELK product as its lifting device of choice. The contract has resulted in Mangar’s export business rising to 25% of revenue. 14. Object Matrix Nick Pearce-Tomenius, co-founder Object Matrix, and sales and marketing director Cardiff tech company, Object Matrix, has made a string of international client wins over the last year with 70% of its new clients being based overseas. The company, which provides digital cloud storage solutions to companies within the media industry, exports to 30 countries across America, Europe, Africa and Asia. France, the USA and Brazil form its largest markets, with leading clients including France Television, Orange and NBC Universal. The company secured two new clients in Argentina in December, as well as a new client in Chile. It has also experienced a large expansion at Madison Square Gardens Networks - a renowned US television network. 15. Penderyn Casks of whisky at distillery Penderyn Welsh Whisky South Food And Drink After more than a century distilling whisky in Wales was resurrected in the small village of Penderyn, on the southern tip of the Brecon Beacons, in the early 21st century. The company started with a unique copper single-pot still designed by Dr David Faraday, a relative of the great 19th-century scientist Michael Faraday. Penderyn Whisky was launched on St David’s Day 2004 in the presence of HRH Prince Charles. The distillery is now recognised worldwide as one of the finest single malt whiskies. Penderyn is available in more than 40 countries and exports count for approximately 1/3rd of sales. 16. PPM Technology PPM Technology An award-winning company set up by the Welsh inventor of the electronic breathalyser, PPM Technology manufactures toxic gas monitors and indoor air quality sensors and instruments. The Caernarfon-based firm has seen turnover rise consistently over the last decade, largely thanks to exports, which make up 80% of its sales. Initially focusing on the hospital market in the UK, EU and USA in the early 2000s, new legislation designed to combat Sick Building Syndrome - a condition linked to poor indoor air quality - meant a new market for PPM’s products emerged in Japan. Since then, export sales have continued to rise and have been instrumental in the success and growth of PPM. Today, it exports to over 50 countries around the globe, with China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea forming its largest markets, and counts major names in the pharmaceutical and motor industries amongst its clients. 17. Radical Materials Radical Materials director's Huw Durban, left, and Nick Corlett It has been a busy year for Ebbw Vale business, Radical Materials, a developer and manufacturer of specialist materials including SteriTouch - antimicrobial additives for plastics, textiles, paints and coatings. The additives are designed to reduce the growth and spread of bacteria, viruses and mould. Over the last twelve months, Radical has seen a significant growth in demand for these products, both in the UK and overseas, particularly from Europe. Radical exports to over 36 countries and half of its clients are overseas including global brands Valspar, World Dryer Corporation and Sennheiser. In the last year, the company has won contracts with award winning Australian tap manufacturer, Zip Water; US office equipment supplier, Deflecto; and South African paint company, Harlequin Paints. The company is also planning to diversify with new product ranges planned for 2021/22. 18. Ruth Lee Manikin assembly at Ruth Lee Exports account for 65% of business for North Wales family firm, Ruth Lee, a world-leading provider of life-like manikins and training aids used by rescue training experts. The company exports to over 60 countries via 50 distributors across Europe, North and South America, Middle East, Asia, and South Africa. Ruth Lee’s clients include the NHS, RNLI, Mountain Rescue, various theme parks, universities and private companies including Glaxo Smith Kline and BMW, as well as international search and rescue organisations. The company has experienced strong growth over the last year, driven largely by demand from healthcare and lifeguard sectors as users switch to training manikins due to social distancing. Ruth Lee plans to accelerate its exports over 2021 and has just appointed an International Development Manager to build its brand awareness in key markets. Last April, the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in recognition of its exceptional export performance over the last three years. 19. Silver Lining Furniture Silverlining's Wrexham factory The Wrexham-based firm designs, produces and creates some of the world’s finest - and most expensive - furniture and bespoke interiors. Most projects come with a price tag that exceeds £2m. Examples of the unique work includes horse hair braided into speakers and leather which is embossed, finished and patterned for a floor in Singapore. Their pieces can take a year to complete. Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE . As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts. The business, which was started in 1985 by Mark Boddington, really took of in the 1990s when they started created furniture for clients around the world, notably for David Bowie’s London and New York homes, and for Kevin Costner’s Hollywood mansion. 20. Teddington Engineered Solutions Pictured L-R: Commercial Director Jason Thomas with Managing Director Paul Greenwood. Wednesday 10 January 2019 Re: Teddington Engineering in Llanelli, Wales, UK Established in the 1920s, specialist Welsh engineering firm Teddington designs and manufactures expansion joints for a range of industries including aerospace, marine, nuclear power and defence. Originally specialising in solutions for the aircraft industry, it was responsible for supplying crucial parts that helped keep the RAF’s Spitfires flying during World War 2. The company, based in Llanelli, now sells its expansion joints all over the world and has exported to more than 100 countries since 2000, notably across China and the Middle East, where it has worked on a number of prestigious schemes. In Dubai alone, Teddington has supplied the Dubai airport, Dubai metro system, Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah – an artificial offshore island. Despite a difficult year for businesses, Teddington has won new customers on large projects in Nigeria, Russia, Oman and Uruguay in the last twelve months. 21. Tiny Rebel (Image: Western Mail and Echo Ltd.) What started was started by two friends in a garage Tiny Rebel has grown to be one of Wales biggest and well-known breweries in less than a decade. The Newport based brewery exports to 50 countries around the world and exports make up nearly 20% of their turnover. Brad Cummings and Gazz Williams have big plans for the company in 2021, they are launching Tiny Rebel Spirits and Tiny Rebel Cider, as well as a a dedicated bars division to expand across the UK. 22. Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) L-R: Thomas Davison-Sebry and Philip Davison-Sebry of Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) with the firms patented Massmelt thermal compaction system, which is being trialled by the US Navy. Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) is a green business focused on sustainable waste management solutions. The Cardiff company manufactures machines that process and re-engineer single use plastics such as polystyrene and polypropylene on-site and at source to enable them to be recycled into new products, diverting them away from landfill and incineration. Despite only starting its export journey in the latter part of 2020, international sales to Europe and the US already make up 10% of TCG’s trade – a figure which it expects to grow significantly over the next few years following a string of overseas client wins. The company has just secured a lucrative six-figure deal with the US navy, selling a prototype of its patented ‘Massmelt’ thermal compaction system, which is expected to reduce the waste volume produced by the fleet by up to 75%. TCG is now in negotiations to licence the design for manufacture in the US, in a potential multi-million-dollar deal. The company anticipates that the US will soon overtake the UK as its largest market based on projected sales. 23. Transcend Packaging Lorenzo Angelucci, managing director at Transcend Packaging Based in Ystrad Mynach, Transcend Packaging specialises in providing sustainable packaging products, like paper straws and folded cartons, to quick service restaurants and grocery brands. Following the outbreak of Covid-19 last year, Transcend also adapted some of its production lines to produce protective face shields. The company now exports its sustainable packaging to clients across Europe, the USA and the Middle East, boasting global household names amongst its clients including Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Ribena, Pret a Manger and Five Guys. The company, which has been selected as “one to watch“ on the Sunday Times’ list of the fastest growing companies in the UK, is expecting exports to account for a third of its sales by the end of 2021 – up 400% from 2020. With contracts across Europe and the Americas, Transcend is positioned to be the largest European producer of U-bend paper straws for drinks cartons. 24. Wales Interactive Maid of Sker was created by Pencoed-based Wales Interactive Exports make up 94% of sale for Wales Interactive. The the Bridgend-based video games and interactive independent movie developer and publisher expanded its games label by partnering with UK and International third-party developers, bringing games to PC, PlayStation and Xbox One and established their label on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation VR, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Wales Interactive also features in the key gaming download stores Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo Store, and Windows Store giving them access to potentially 300 million customers. Over the past three years the company has expanded selling digitally in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia with overseas sales growing by 503%. Top markets are; China, USA, Germany, Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation. 25. Zip Clip Zip Clip Award-winning mid-Wales manufacturer, Zip-Clip, has been involved in a number of major landmark international projects including Ski Dubai and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. The company, which manufacturers suspension systems for electrical, mechanical, heating and ventilation industries at its premises in Welshpool, exports to more than 50 clients across over 46 regions, including America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, with international sales generating more than £3m a year in turnover for the business. The company hopes to further expand its global presence with plans to enter into the South East Asian market and is set to attend the Natural Disasters Expo in Sinagpore in December 2021. Most Recent Most Recent