Autoweld builds on success in China

The Trimdon, County Durham, company was the first to supply this type of equipment to China.

The company established a marketing strategy in 1995 and its first export target was North America, where it now supplies a large amount of equipment.

It made its first fact-finding mission to China in November 1997 and work included making 75 presentations to 500 people in the next two years.

The company's export sales figure has now increased from £55,177 in the year ending April 2001, to £1,253,989.

General manager of Autoweld Francis Hankin has now embarked on a 12-month international trade secondment in China to improve the company's links with potential customers.

Autoweld's success gained recognition when it won first prize for Innovation in Export in the North-East Exporters Awards.

Mr Hankin was runner-up in the Personal Achievement in Exporting category of the awards, presented at a ceremony at Ramside Hall, Durham last month.

Autoweld secured the China orders with the help of Trade Partners UK, delivered through Business Link County Durham and is enjoying the benefits of the Passport to Export programme to establish more export contracts.

Managing director Stan Roberts said: "Business Link County Durham and Trade Partners UK offer such easy access to a vast wealth of knowledge and experience in exporting to foreign markets.

"At first glance, the concept of export can seem rather frightening, to say the least.

"We have found that through the valuable assistance of these organisations, export need not be such a worry.

"In fact, exporting becomes such an exciting challenge and experience with rewards that can, with commitment, surpass any that you imagined.

"There is a big world out there with a vast array of unique and intriguing markets that demand the products and services of British industry.

"Business Link County Durham and Trade Partners UK can help open the doors to those markets. They have been of enormous assistance."