National Export Week events will support Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire businesses to trade overseas

Small and medium-sized businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being urged to find out how overseas markets could help them expand and boost jobs and growth locally at two events during national Export Week.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) will be holding the export support events – New Markets: New Horizons in Tamworth and Burton next Friday, November 14. The Tamworth event, which is being backed by local MP Christopher Pincher, takes place at Drayton Manor Hotel between 7.30am and 10am. In Burton, the event will take place at The Tower Brewery from 2.15pm to 4.15pm.

The sessions are the latest in a series of successful events which have taken place across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire which have supported over 100 businesses in discovering overseas markets. Small businesses with no or limited experience of exporting and those wishing to increase their existing overseas trade, are being encouraged to attend and gain valuable support and advice from UKTI. These free to attend events are being supported by Santander Corporate and Commercial Bank and will provide opportunities to network, debate and seek expert guidance.  The events form part of a series of seminars, workshops and market briefings taking place during UKTI’s Export Week.

Chris Knowles, managing director of Lichfield-based Blocksil Ltd who attended a previous event, has since received invaluable support from UKTI that has enabled his business to successfully trade with Ireland, Spain and Mongolia. Blocksil Ltd is now testing products in Belgium and Hong Kong. Chris said “Making contact with other local businesses is essential and attending these events gives everyone the opportunity to talk through problems, promote your business and gain valuable advice on many different subjects.”

Blocksil Ltd, which makes a liquid waterproofing membrane suitable for a range of applications, was set up in 2012 by Chris after many years of working in the coatings industry developing new products.

Robert Lawley, Head of International Trade, for UKTI Staffordshire said: “Selling overseas can provide big opportunities for local companies and as part of the National Export Challenge our aim is to help create more exporters in the region than ever before. Nationally we are aiming to have an additional 100,000 businesses trading overseas by the end of the decade.  We want to provide an ideal opportunity for companies to find out more about the opportunities available to them and how exports can help their business grow. We hope it will inspire companies to take up the export challenge.”

Further information can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/exporting and interested businesses can book their free place by emailing business@staffordshire.gov.uk

Staffordshire businesses wanting to find out more about the support on offer from UKTI can call the team directly on 01782 202222.