The Welsh export success stories to inspire businesses of tomorrow
In the era of Brexit, Wales’ ability to export to world markets will be tested as never before. More than two thirds (67%) of Welsh exports go to EU countries, and if the deal the Government finally agrees with our European neighbours fails to provide tariff-free access to the single market we will have no captive markets in the Commonwealth to fall back on.
Welsh companies will have to work hard to gain a footing in the new markets that may open up as the Government looks for new trade deals. But they will have for inspiration the successes of these companies that have blazed a trail from Australia to the US.
Kent Periscopes Based in St Asaph, Kent Periscopes develops sighting systems for armoured vehicles and last year won a £9m deal to supply sights for the new Ajax light tank that will be made for the British Army in Merthyr Tydfil.
But the company makes most of its money from exports with more than 80% of sales being overseas. The main destination countries include Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Canada and Spain.
Bon Bon Buddies Blackwood-based confectionary firm Bon Bon Buddies has big markets in China and the Middle East as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. It recently won a contract to manufacture sweets for Disney as the only British manufacturer to create and produce a healthier confectionery to distribute across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Bon Bon Buddies supplies licensed and own-brand character confectionery to more than 40 countries worldwide, with eight dedicated European sales and logistics facilities with further distribution in Central Eastern Europe, China, South East Asia, the Middle East and the US.
Lumishore Another company that is probably better known overseas than in Wales, Swansea-based Lumishore produces underwater boat lighting systems .
Intelligent drivers allow the LED arrays to be controlled in different ways including the ability to change colours, and the system can be operated from smart phones and linked to music systems.
Markes International This Llantrisant firm makes equipment that can detect traces of chemicals in the atmosphere. The devices can be used in everything from detecting nerve gas at airports to checking whether food has gone off and the chemicals given off by the material your car seats are made from. The company does more than 80% of its business overseas, and has offices in the US and Germany.
SPTS Technologies Technology SPTS Technologies supplies advanced wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor industry.
The Newport-based company works with the world’s leading semiconductor and microelectronic device manufacturers and research institutions, employing around 500 people globally with approximately 300 employees in Newport.
Airborne Systems Airborne Systems has been making parachutes for more than 90 years.
Based in Bridgend, the company supplies parachutes to Hollywood action film makers as well as military forces and rescue services around the world.
Orangebox Orangebox makes innovative office furniture, including acoustic pods and stylish screens, seating and meeting tables. It’s headquartered in Nantgarw but has wide sales overseas including in North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Tiny Rebel Brewer Tiny Rebel is well known among UK craft ale fans, but the Newport-based company has also been making its mark overseas. This month it will join a trade mission to China.
Export manager Moussa Clarke said: “Shanghai and Hong Kong have their own vibrant domestic beer scenes – China has been brewing the stuff for 9,000 years after all – with an ongoing surge in both locally and internationally-produced craft beer. We’re keen to expand
Tiny Rebel’s existing reach.”
Cintec
A business that has made a bigger impact overseas than in Britain, Newport-based Cintec produces concrete ties – used to reinforce and strengthen buildings from Egyptian pyramids to American skyscrapers. Its main markets are in the Middle and Far East, from Egypt to Australia.