News / Skipton based Engineering firm Flying High on...
Skipton based Engineering firm Flying High on International soil
Thanks to international business support from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) through Business Link York and North Yorkshire, a Skipton engineering firm that supplies a range of ball, globe and gate valves for use in the chemical, naval and wastewater treatment industries has branched out into new global markets. Brooksbank Valves has diversified production to focus on supplying engineering ball valves to the international oil and gas industry. Using a number of resources through Business Link, Brooksbank Valves has already won business from America and Brazil in excess of £130,000. Steve Richardson, UKTI’s International Trade Adviser at Business Link says, “Over the last 10 years, we have helped them to carry out extensive research to identify markets and potential contacts through the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), as well as offering guidance on the whole process of exporting.” Through Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS), Brooksbank Valves were also able to attend a key trade show for the oil and gas industry in Houston. This enabled the firm to introduce its services to the US market, meet potential customers and establish a number of significant contacts. Andrew Wain, sales and marketing director for Brooksbank Valves says, “The effect was immediate. In four days we had a massive amount of interest and some clear leads. Within ten days we had secured a $50,000 order, approximately £30,000, as a direct result of attending the exhibition.” Following this initial success in the US, the company focused on establishing a profile in Brazil with the help of the TESS funding. They have now appointed an agent in Brazil and have a number of key contacts within the oil and gas industry, which has already led to a £100,000 order from an American company based in Rio. Andrew Wain says, “UKTI and Business Link have been fantastic. We’ve had advice and guidance through the whole process from initial market research, identifying key contacts, guidance on funding applications and ongoing international business advice. With further support from Business Link, we are looking to branch out into the South East Asia market throughout 2007.”
