The search is on to find the UK's stars of export
08 June 2012
The Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) and DHL have launched an international trade award at a time when exports are increasingly important, not just to companies but to the growth of manufacturing and the economy overall. The Export Award is part of the EEF Future Manufacturing Awards, which are free to enter and provide many opportunities to win across ten categories.
The 2011 winner: Ben Green, Harwin Technical and Marketing Communications Manager; Anne Stephenson, Harwin Business Systems Manager and Caiomhe Buckley, UKTI
EEF Chief Executive Terry Scuoler said: “The 'march of the makers' is underway and UK manufacturers are leading an exporting renaissance that is crucial to domestic growth and economic recovery. Companies are opening up new opportunities in emerging markets and our award will recognise and celebrate their outstanding efforts and achievements."
Michael Andersen, DHL's UK Vice President Sales & Marketing, said: "It's an exciting time for international trade as companies look to new markets and seize new opportunities. Export promotes faster company growth and improves resilience and profitability, so we are delighted to support the EEF Innovative Export Award and to applaud the business stars who are achieving excellence overseas. We hope that this inspires others to win business abroad."
The recent export survey by EEF and RBS reported export growth among 65% of companies in 2011, with 70% expecting further expansion in 2012. Nine out of ten of the respondents were active in export markets and a fifth had experienced growth of more than 20% in the past 12 months. 50% of respondents expected exports to emerging economies to increase in 2012, with exports to China and India expected to increase by up to half within five years.
The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards will be judged in five UK regions across the UK. Regional winners will be announced in November at celebration events, sponsored by Santander Corporate Banking. The regional winners will then compete for the national awards at a prestigious ceremony in London in January 2013.
Other award categories recognise outstanding business performance in business growth; skills and people management; innovation, and environmental achievement. They also celebrate the achievements of apprentices and young engineering students – saluting budding young manufacturing talent.
The Awards are free to enter and are open to all UK manufacturers, with a closing date of July 20th 2012 For more information, click here.
Harwin plc was winner of the Outstanding Export Award at the national EEF Future Manufacturing Awards 2011. The success of the Portsmouth-based company, which manufactures surface mount Printed Circuit Board hardware, high reliability connectors and board to board connector systems, confirms its position as one of the top performing manufacturers in the country.
Harwin won the award for developing and introducing a new range of circuit board hardware which broadened the company’s penetration of global markets. It now exports to 88 countries, with overseas sales worth 85% of the company’s total revenue.
The judges were impressed by the fact that Harwin, faced with strong competition, re-invented itself and its distribution channels achieving significant success in export growth. The judges also praised the company for its well thought out and well implemented campaign, product innovation and careful research.
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