Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, held an exporting event on Friday 22nd January for local businesses. The event was aimed at helping local businesses get into exporting.
The event was organised by Amanda Milling MP, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the Chase Chamber of Commerce. It saw speakers from various organisations talk about their experiences of exporting and the specialist help available from UKTI.
UKTI is a government agency that works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. They operate locally, with teams visiting companies to provide free specialist advice and practical help.
Speakers at the event included Mark Bowen from ATP Industries Group Ltd and Peter Langston of Zunsport, both Cannock based businesses who export.
ATP are Europe’s largest independent re-manufacturer of automatic transmissions and vehicle electronics and export their products all over the world. Exports make up two thirds of their business and over the past year alone its international trade has increased by more than 57%.
Zunsport are a family run business and local manufacturer of specialist stainless steel car grilles. With the help of UKTI they increased their exporting from 2% in 2013 to 17% in 2015.
The event has been endorsed by Government Ministers. Speaking after the event, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills said: “I would like to congratulate Amanda for co-hosting this event and working hard to help support and boost Cannock Chase businesses. The UK is one of the top places in the world to do business. As a Government we want to get 100,000 more businesses exporting by 2020 by making it even easier, faster and simpler for more UK businesses to export. Events like this allow businesses to learn more about exporting, understand the benefits and get guidance on the practical help and support that is available. The businesses who attended the event in Cannock will have taken the first and an important step in making this happen for them.”
Business speaker, Mark Bowen, Commercial Director of ATP Industries Group Ltd said: “I was delighted to speak at the event and give other local businesses the benefit of our experience. Most of our business is exporting and we ship products made in Cannock all over the world. I believe this is something more local firms could do and I hope they found the event helpful.”
Amanda Milling MP said: “Exporting is an excellent way to grow a business. There are many markets which local businesses could be exporting their goods and services to. The event was a great way of letting attendees know what opportunities exist and the help that is available. It was fantastic to hear from ATP and Zunsport who shared their experiences. I would encourage local businesses who are thinking about exporting to explore the opportunities that exist across the globe.”
Information on more export events is available at www.events.ukti.gov.uk. Business can also see what exporting opportunities are available by visiting www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk.