The Queen’s Award for International Trade is a prestigious business accolade.
Therefore I am delighted to see 22 London winners and recognise many companies UK Trade & Investment has helped to succeed internationally, particularly in these tough economic times.
To win, companies must demonstrate long term, substantial growth in overseas earnings.
UKTI helped Testplant, to accelerate their international plans. They now export to thirty international markets. This includes some of the world’s leading companies including Boeing in the US and BMW in Germany. Testplant’s overseas sales more than doubled over the last three years, which is a fantastic achievement.
Fever-Tree, the premium drinks company, are now exporting to 38 countries. Their turnover exceeded £16 million in 2012.
I am pleased to say that the London Region’s International Trade Team worked with 16 winners. Many of whom used our bespoke Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) to find relevant contacts overseas and use the commercial know-how of our overseas teams to scope the route to market. Here are just a few examples of the commercial impact, of going international, on our winners:
EIP Partners, specialists in intellectual property, increased overseas sales by 136% over the last three years.
Smart Voucher Ltd, electronic money services, reported overseas sales growth of 146% over the last three years.
Sun Mark Ltd, achieved a record fifth Queen’s Awards. Their export sales have, on average, increased by 35 per cent, per year, over the last three years.
Overseas sales for Gapuma (UK) Limited, who trade in commodities including chemicals and fertilisers, have flourished by 159% over the last three years.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Rajeeb Dey on receiving the award for Enterprise Promotion. Rajeeb gives up his time on a voluntary basis to support young entrepreneurs on the UKTI Global Entrepreneurs Programme.
If you're based in the London area, find out more about our services and how you can go international by calling UKTI London on 0845 052 4001 or email the team on export@uktilondon.org.uk. Follow @UKTI_LondonSE for regular export updates
Full detail of the 116 Queens Awards winners for International Trade, as well as the other categories, can be found here: http://bit.ly/ZGWZkx