Poll reveals export ambitions
MANUFACTURING bosses claim Teesside is developing into a nationally recognised export centre, as a nebusiness poll revealed 42% of businesses are looking to expand into new overseas markets.
According to manufacturers, niche foreign markets are providing an outlet for high-value products and services, but they say retaining a regional base is vital to manage stock and respond quickly to changes in buying patterns.
Newton Aycliffe-based shower manufacturer Roman increased overseas sales by more than 160% last year and is targeting America as well as emerging European markets such as Bulgaria.
Managing director David Osborne, said: “We are looking at other markets but will retain our regional base, which helps us to respond to sales patterns and control stock. The North-east has an excellent reputation for manufacturing and we would be crucified if we shipped in products cheaply from abroad and suddenly found we needed more stock.”
In 2007, despite a strengthening pound, chemical and pharmaceutical industries led a record breaking year for regional exports, which powered past the £10bn mark for the first time.
Alan Hall, director of manufacturers’ association EEF Northern, said the region was now “nationally recognised” for its export achievements, with 50-80% of products made here shipped abroad. National research from EEF last month showed more manufacturers were entering niche markets to put some clear water between them and low cost economies, such as China. But it also revealed 70% of companies that had overseas operations expected to expand and a third of companies with no production outside the UK anticipated having an offshore base by 2012.
