HE Trade bursary aids ambitious export agenda

ARC Marine, with support from TDA and the Department for International Trade, is progressing a number of exciting opportunities to introduce its products overseas, including to Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates.

ARC Marine is a specialist in the creation of environmental marine habitats using its unique artificial reef products.

Thanks to funding through the International Trade Bursary, ARC Marine met international buyers and those commissioning new projects in Hamburg to discuss the installation of their artificial reefs.

The International Trade Bursary is being delivered as part of Torbay Council’s Economic Strategy. Attending the Global Wind Summit provided ARC Marine with a greater insight into offshore wind energy innovations and allowed them to present their marine reef habitat solutions to the buyers.

Tom Birbeck, founder and director of ARC Marine said: “Our discussions with overseas companies are extremely positive and we are looking forward to progressing these.

“The Trade Bursary enabled the visit to Hamburg to take place. It was great to meet our potential clients face to face and demonstrate the qualities of our product.”

After experimenting with various prototypes, ARC Marine invented a number of products ranging from artificial reef modules to sea grass habitats, all of which will be constructed in Brixham. Two artificial reefs in Vobster Quay and Lyme Bay have been successful, with a third being deployed in Plymouth Sound.

Tom added: “By attending the conference we had the opportunity to speak with a lead- ing company’s sub sea technical team about habitat mitigation and scour issues that they experience and the problems that it causes.”

The company will now apply for Innovate UK funding to trial their product around an offshore wind farm in UK waters. For more information about ARC Marine visit www.arcmarine.co.uk

To learn more about the International Trade Bursary visit www.investintorbay.com/ trade-bursary

OUTCOMES

Identified three new potential overseas customers

Potential order value just under £1m

Opportunity to enter into a Innovate UK bid with partners offering potential £350,000 funding for artificial reef pilot

Working with Department for International Trade in its Export for Growth programme.

Our international trade bursary is open to Torbay-based SMEs, new or existing exporters, across any industry sector but they must be looking to enter new country export markets

Funding is available, between £500-£1,000 that could be used to attend trade shows, visit prospective buyers in market or undertake overseas market research but ideally a combination of export activity that leads to success!

The bursary is accessed by completing and submitting an application form which is then reviewed by our panel.

Companies will work with their local advisor from Department for International Trade and access additional support.

To find out more about how TDA can provide export support contact Jason Buck, investment development manager on 01803 208799/07771 811389 or email jason.buck@tda.uk.net