The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pushing the boundaries
Scotland has some great and inspirational exporting businesses and industries. We all know about of whisky and salmon, but less is heard about the exporting success of our professional services, science and tech communities, our petrochemicals industry or our mining and quarrying operations.
But, sadly, a strong showing in these areas does not mean Scotland is a great exporting nation.
The fact remains that far too few Scottish businesses have an outward facing profile.
Research released in February by the Bank of Scotland suggested fewer than one-in-three Scottish firms are actively promoting their goods or services into overseas markets.
And of the 125 Scottish respondents to the bank’s Business in Britain report, a quarter said they had taken a specific, strategic decision to exclude themselves from the possibilities afforded by international trade. That is worrying.
But with economic and political uncertainties such as Donald Trump’s erratic presidency and Brexit piling up at the door, it is easy to see why companies are holding on to what they have rather than taking a risk and reaching out to the wider world.
But this May issue of Business Matters shows what can – and, crucially, is – being achieved by Scottish firms who have embraced exporting.
Our cover story is a case in point. Through decades of trading and numerous economic peaks and troughs, tachograph group Stoneridge Electronics has built a global export business – and it continues to expand its overseas interests with a determined push into the American market in recent months.
It is just one of many local success stories – including an Angus bulb growing bringing a little colour to the world – profiled in our May magazine.
Hopefully their success will provide the inspiration and impetus for other companies to follow suit in the months and years ahead. Enjoy.
The fact remains that far too few Scottish businesses havean outward facing profile