Gate 7, of Gateshead, a specialist component manufacturer for the automotive sector, already exports around 90 per cent of its products to the USA and Europe but was keen to explore new markets in Japan and China.
With the help of UK Trade & Investment and Regional Specialist International Trade Adviser for the Automotive Sector Iain Cunningham, the company visited both countries to investigate best practice techniques and build contacts with potential customers.
Now the company, which gained a prestigious Queen's Award for International Trade in 2005 and was named as Export Business of the Year 2006 in the North East Chamber of Commerce Awards, has secured new business with a value in excess of $1 million.
Keith Wickham, Managing Director of Gate 7, explained:
"We specialise in the Off Road Vehicle Industry (ORIV) sector, operating in the supply, manufacture and logistical management of decals for operational, instructional and safety applications. We use a wide range of substrates and adhesives to ensure clarity and extreme longevity.
"We've also developed our own software - Total Management Concept (TMC) - which allows us to deliver kitted decals to customer specification within demanding 'just in time' deadlines.
"The TMC software allows us to control the ORIV manufacturers inventory and facilitate changes to customer specification, including language changes and technical modifications. It also helps control wastage and avoids products becoming obsolete.
"We've had a lot of help from Iain and UK Trade & Investment in researching and visiting the new markets. We've also had support from One NorthEast, the specialist division North East Productivity Alliance (NEPA) and its Best Practice Team, as well as the Manufacturers Advisory Service.
"We have now established a base in Shanghai with active Chinese representation and we are already discussing several interesting projects in our field.
"The best practice visits to Japan have provided the experience, which has paved the way for really effective Lean Manufacturing projects. The NEPA Best Practice Team has been particularly helpful in this regard. Lean techniques have enabled us to generate the efficiencies which were essential to cope with additional work."
Iain Cunningham, UK Trade & Investment's Regional Specialist International Trade Adviser for the Automotive Sector, said:
"Gate 7 operates in a highly competitive market and has already succeeded in placing itself at the top end of the off road industrial vehicle industry.
"They have proved there are opportunities available and with the right kind of support North East businesses can compete on an international stage."
For more information about the range of support services available through UK Trade & Investment to help your company succeed overseas call the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email: enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk.
