A Norfolk-based manufacturer of moulds and casting systems has exhibited in China and other overseas territories with help from UKTI.
PCL Ceramics, formerly Porvair Ceramics, was formed in 1991 and is global market leader in the design and development of synthetic mould materials and pressure casting systems for sanitaryware and tableware. It already has a solid international client-base but, for sales & marketing director Martin Greene, developing new contacts was critical.
Greene has been using UKTI’s services on an ad-hoc basis thanks to connections with the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce – Staffordshire being the ceramics industries hub for the UK. But it was after he met with international trade adviser for the East of England, Leszek Wysocki in November 2009, that he decided to build UKTI’s help into PCL’s export strategy.
Greene said: “Our business relies heavily on the global marketplace, and more than 85 per cent of our work gets exported overseas. So it is vital for us to be able to meet prospective clients and distributors all over the world. UKTI has assisted us with some financial support for trade shows and exhibitions.
“Recently, it provided funding towards out trade visits to Mexico and Bangladesh. We also received funds towards exhibitions in China, Italy and Germany. Without UKTI’s financial support, we may not have been able to afford all these visits and, as a result, would have had to prioritise.
“Marketing research is another area where UKTI’s help is of assistance. We have very recently commissioned an Overseas Market Introduction Service report for the Ukraine through Leszek and are awaiting results. We are expecting the report to give us a wealth of business intelligence on this new market, including possible new clients.
“Our casting systems ensure that clients are able to produce their sanitary ware products more efficiently thanks to the durability of the moulds and the speed at which the machines operate.”
• Photograph shows: PCL Ceramics sales & marketing director, Martin Greene
