North East manufacturer hosts regional launch of Export Week

One of the North East’s most prominent exporters, GT Group, has hosted the regional launch of UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI) Export Week.

The launch at GT Group, which exports to more than 60 countries across the globe, took place alongside the company’s new £1 million test centre for its marine emergency release couplings for Liquid Nitrogen Gas transfer in Peterlee.

The Institute of Directors, UKTI, The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, the North East Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses joined forces to stage the briefing, which included expert advice from UKTI as well as TTE Technical Training Group and GT Group who provided the inside track on how to succeed in overseas markets.

The networking lunch, was aimed at helping those new to exporting expand their knowledge and also meet like-minded businesses.

The presentations comprised:

• UKTI, the Government department that helps UK-based businesses succeed in the global economy, gave advice on how businesses can access financial support and specialist knowledge when developing an international element to their operations.
• The TTE Technical Training Group outlined how it delivers training programmes and consultancies worldwide, tailored to meet employer needs. TTE is the UK’s leading provider of technical training to the oil & gas, process manufacturing and engineering sectors.
• GT Group, which has been officially recognised for its overseas sales success, gave an insight into how it has successfully forged commercial links and won contracts from overseas clients.

Geoff Turnbull, chairman of GT Group, said: “Export Week is an important period in the business calendar and GT Group was honoured to be chosen to host the launch event in the North East.

“Exports play an important part in the region’s economic landscape, helping drive growth, employment and the balance of payments.

“We hope that by hosting the briefing we will have helped stimulated interest in targeting overseas markets.”

Steve Grant, managing director of TTE Technical Training Group, said: “TTE attracts overseas business for its consultancy services and training from world-class companies, which demonstrates how UK expertise and skills are internationally respected.

“A company turning its attention to overseas markets gives it the potential to grow at a faster rate than if it focuses purely on domestic business.

“We would recommend businesses explore export opportunities and take advantage of the support from organisations, such as UKTI, to help them achieve that goal.”

Graham Robb, North East chairman of the IoD, said: “Overseas sales make a substantial contribution to the economic wellbeing of the North East and it is important that even more businesses start to focus on exporting.

“One of the IoD’s roles is to help bring business leaders and experts together to give company directors the knowledge and confidence to develop their businesses and embrace new market opportunities both at home and abroad.”

David Coppock, UKTI regional director, said: “The benefits of international trade are clear with the figures speaking for themselves. Typically companies entering the global marketplace see a 33% increase in productivity in the first year and a 30 percent growth in sales by the end of the second.

“Put simply exporting helps companies grow and it is clear that exporters do better with UKTI’s help – in the past year around £45 million worth of business wins have been recorded by North East businesses assisted by UKTI.

“We wanted to demonstrate that international trade is a key to growth and are sure that businesses will be inspired after hearing from GT Group and TTE Technical Training Group to follow their successful lead.”

Last year GT Group’s export prowess was recognised by it being ranked 74th in the prestigious Sunday Times International Track 200.

More than 100 delegates, who attended the briefing, were given the opportunity to tour the manufacturing plant at the Peterlee headquarters of GT Group, which focuses on environmental design, engineering and manufacture.