Swindon & Wiltshire News
Trade minister visits Wiltshire
Trade and investment minister Lord Livingston visited Wiltshire recently, meeting four local companies with international growth ambitions.
In his first visit to the region, Lord Livingston was given a tour of Tetronics International’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Swindon.
This included the waste recovery and green energy specialist’s demonstration facility and manufacturing site, where the Minister was given the opportunity to hear about the innovative company’s export success and international growth plans.
Following his visit to Tetronics, Lord Livingston visited Devizes-based luxury design-based manufacturing and bespoke furniture business, Canburg, to discuss how UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) can help high growth mid-sized businesses (MSBs) through its network of international trade advisers and global experts.
A visit to Dyson’s research facility in Malmesbury enabled the Minister to discuss the support received from UKTI and to hear about the company’s growth in emerging markets, including Latin America and the Middle East.
International business ambitions were high on the agenda at Lord Livingston’s final meeting at Scisys in Chippenham. The mid-sized business, which specialises in developing bespoke IT services and integrated systems within a variety of sectors, is looking to grow its international footprint and has recently starting working with UKTI plans to grow sales in China.
Following his visit to the region, Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Livingston said: “I’ve been hugely impressed by the innovation and ambition I’ve seen today in Wiltshire.
“British products and services have a strong appeal around the world, and the heritage and expertise of companies in the South West make a great contribution to the UK brand.
“By working with companies like Tetronics, Canburg, Scisys and Dyson, we want to inspire other South West companies to grow their international customer base. Expert trade advice and support from UK Trade & Investment is available to all companies to start them on the path to exporting success.”
In the spring, Lord Livingston wrote to 9,000 MSBs, advising them of the tailored support available to help them grow through exporting. Since then, over 400 MSBs have been contacted by the local UKTI team in the South West to discuss the support available to help them achieve their overseas growth objectives.
Jason Carter, UKTI’s Deputy Regional Director for the South West, added: “We were only able to show Lord Livingston a fraction of the export success generated by businesses in this region but we are very grateful that he took the time to come and see some of what the South West has to offer the rest of the world.
“Almost any business has the potential to start exporting but many need the support and confidence to do so. UKTI South West continues to offer expert advice and guidance to experienced and novice exporters, whether they are small, mid-sized or large businesses, so I would urge the region’s businesses to get in touch and find out how UKTI can help.”
To find out more about UKTI’s wide range of support and services in the South West, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or call 0845 60 60 969.
