Yorkshire Forward
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Yorkshire's Finest Exports Rewarded

Four Yorkshire companies who have improved their business by exporting overseas have received awards in recognition of their international success.

The awards, made by Yorkshire Forward and UK Trade and Investment as part of their drive to encourage regional businesses to grow through international trade, were presented at a ceremony at Sheffield’s Cutlers Hall last night by Commercial Director of Virgin Galactic, Stephen Attenborough.

The first award of the night went to Harrogate based EnviroVent for Best New Exporter. In two years the company has increased its export sales from £40,000 to £120,000 – working with UKTI to identify new markets and accessing funds through the Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) to attend a major trade conference in the US.

The award for Best Market Entry Strategy was presented to Bradford food giant Mumtaz after they identified a niche market in Halal baby food and developed an export strategy that allowed them to enter key markets in Saudi Arabia. The company predicts that this new business will be worth over £1 million in the next two years.

Sheffield based Flexseal took home the award for Most Improved Exporter, in recognition of their efforts to increase their export sales by almost £1 million, whilst the award for Best Exporter went to Lubrizol, who have a major base in Barnsley and who have expanded their export activity into Eastern Europe.

Laura Humbles, an International Trade Advisor for UKTI operating in West Yorkshire received the award for Best Trade Advisor, in recognition of her work with regional businesses over the past three years.

Barry Dodd, founder of Yorkshire based GSM group and Yorkshire Forward Board Member comments; “If our region’s businesses want to be globally competitive and maintain a steady course through the ups and downs of the world economy then they must have a diverse market portfolio, which is why Yorkshire Forward is committed to working with UKTI in the region to support exporters.

“Developing good export markets enables businesses to put their eggs in a variety of baskets and increase their turnover – as EnviroVent’s success in a relatively short space of time clearly shows.”

Notes to editors:

Yorkshire Forward
  • Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
  • Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than £333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.
  • Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
  • For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Tori Wilkinson, Senior Press Officer on 0113 3949904 or on 07736181063 or email victoria.wilkinson@yorkshire-forward.com

About UKTI

  • UK Trade & Investment is the UK Government's international business development organisation, supporting businesses seeking to establish in the UK and helping UK companies grow internationally. The services offered by UK Trade & Investment bring together a network of business sector specialists and support teams in British embassies and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts all around the world, as well as key experts in government departments across the UK. UK Trade & Investment works with a wide range of partner organisations in the UK, including Regional Development Agencies and the Devolved Administrations, Business Links, Chambers of Commerce and trade associations. For more information, visit the web site at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at http://www.newsroom.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
  • Elizabeth Ogborn
    Government News Network Yorkshire and the Humber
  • 0113 341 3173
    mobile 0771 415 9325
    elizabeth.ogborn@gnn.gsi.gov.uk

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