UK firm Artel Rubber, a leading silicone hose manufacturers, supplying the automotive, motorsport, rail, truck and bus industries is targeting further international growth after successfully exporting its products to markets including China.
The Bidford-upon-Avon manufacturer started on an export drive two years ago and now sends 40% of its production overseas; mostly are shipped to mainland Europe and some are send to China.
The export drive has been helped by accountants and advisors Harrison Beale & Owen and the UKTI team based at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. The latter investigated on new markets.
Artel director Simon Lavin anticipates an increase in exports in the next 12 months, he says,
“We wanted to explore new markets both in terms of territories and sectors, so that has been a very strategic drive to grow the business.”
He says that the firm’s edge is on the standard of quality they impose on their products.
“While we supply a whole host of firms in various countries, we have seen real growth in mainland Europe – France, Sweden and Belgium – and particularly in the rail sector. In the UK market we supply major and niche car makers and several F1 teams, ” he adds.
Artel’s export drive was supported by UKTI which helped in the investigation of new markets.