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East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce’s International Trade Club concluded its final meeting of 2023 at Accrington Stanley Football Club on the 7th of December, hosting a festive celebration and the presentation of the highly anticipated International Trade Club Awards.
The event, a highlight of the region’s international business calendar, was once again proudly sponsored by Forbes Solicitors and PM+M Solutions for Business LLP, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the growth of international trade in East Lancashire.
Stef Heywood, International Business Manager, kickstarted the event with a warm Chamber welcome, before an introduction to Darren Neill of Sales Geek, who inspired our guests with his motivational presentation on how to win those all-important sales orders for 2024, and securing repeat business.
Before guests tucked into a delicious Christmas dinner, it was time to showcase the international excellence of our local businesses’ achievements with our International Trade Club Awards. All winners were presented with an engraved glass trophy and a bottle of champagne from John Pickervance of Forbes Solicitors, who congratulated all the winners on a superb show of determination and hard work.
Mandy Lockett, International Business Director at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, commented:
“The International Trade Club’s final meeting of the year was a resounding success, bringing together the international business community in East Lancashire to celebrate amazing achievements, and set the stage for continued growth in 2024.
“The playful spirit brought by The Fun Experts perfectly complemented the recognition of outstanding achievements in importing and exporting.
“A huge congratulations to each of our worthy winners – your successes this year deserve to be celebrated!”
John Pickervance, Partner and Head of Commercial at event sponsors Forbes Solicitors, commented:
“Another year on, and the International Trade Club’s Christmas Event didn’t fail to deliver. This event for us always signals the beginning of the year’s Christmas festivities and with plenty of fun to be had, we were also able to celebrate the many successes in trading overseas.
“Forbes Solicitors is proud to sponsor the International Trade Club and looks forward to continuing to work closely with both the Chamber and the region’s importers and exporters throughout 2024.”
Andy Kirkaldy, Manager – Corporate and Indirect Taxes at event sponsors PM+M Solutions for Business LLP, commented:
“Witnessing the accomplishments of industry leaders at this year’s awards event solidified the importance of our sponsorship and involvement with the Chamber’s International Trade Club. It reinforced our belief that by fostering a collaborative environment, businesses can not only weather the challenges of international trade but also thrive and play an important part in the overall prosperity of the global economy.
“Our partnership with the International Trade Club is about supporting organisations through our knowledge, insights and networks to contribute to the continued success of local businesses involved in global commerce.”
The International Trade Club Awards winners are as follows:
- Proprotein – manufacturers and exporters of health foods who have successfully expanded into India and China.
- DL Foods Limited – A B2B meat trading business excelling in frozen and fresh meat, expanding into new French and Spanish markets in 2023.
- Hurst Green Plastics Limited – Exporting their revolutionary product inventory systems for controlling stock levels within many of the largest manufacturing companies in the Aerospace, Medical and Trains sectors globally. They are now exploring the Middle East with an exhibition in Dubai planned for January next year. With the majority of their suppliers based within 40 miles of their offices and all within Lancashire, this filters to over £600,000 of purchases and minimises their carbon footprint.
- Slingco Limited – a family-run business manufacturing high-quality cable grips, wire rope products, and tools for global markets, exceeding sales expectations in the USA and aiming for significant growth.
- Pets Choice – Manufacturing pet food and accessories and exporting to over 45 counties around the world, Pets Choice has had another outstanding year. Entering their first African market, Morocco, then launching a range of bespoke products into South Africa whilst also working on projects to launch their products into Saudi, Kuwait and Oman: they never stop to seize every opportunity. New product development and utilising free trade agreements is key for strengthening their position within international markets.
- Science in Sport – Developing and manufacturing sports nutrition products for professional athletes and sports enthusiasts selling to over 82 countries in the world and 43% of sales contributing to exports. Increasing their margins in the USA by moving to an on-line platform is just one of their innovative ways to stay ahead of the game. Partnering with world class athletes and sponsoring marathons gives them that worldclass recognition.
- Simply Doughnuts Limited – Exporters of fresh doughnuts to the Gulf States, contributing to reduced food waste, and recent winners of the Best Bakery in Lancashire.
The International Trade Club concluded with the Chamber team conducting their annual raffle, with each attendee receiving a special Christmas gift from the team.
The event photos are available to view here.
Following the raffle, it was then onto a final expression of gratitude to sponsors Forbes Solicitors and PM+M, as well as the entire international business community in East Lancashire – wishing all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024!
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