Region clocks up £2.3 billion of exports

October 16, 2018

Companies across the Marches exported £2.34 billion of goods last year, new figures show.

An aerial view of the new Polytec site in Telford
An aerial view of the new Polytec site in Telford

A new report from the Department for International Trade (DIT) reveals that more than 100 businesses in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin delivered their products to a total of 52 different countries in 2017/18.
More than two-thirds of the exports were sent to European Union countries with the remainder going around the globe, according to the report which covers the Marches LEP region.
The report reveals:
• 119 Marches businesses reported exports with DIT support across 52 markets and 51 sectors
• 71.8 per cent of exports went to EU countries and 28.2 per cent further afield.
• 759 new jobs were created across the Marches by 15 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects
• 82 further jobs were safeguarded by FDI projects
• Nine Marches companies have taken part in a special Global Growth pilot – including Muller, CJ Wildbird Foods, Sentinel Manufacturing and Filtermist International
The 15 foreign companies investing in the region last year included plastics products manufacturer Craemer and automotive parts supplier Polytec, both in Telford.
Graham Wynn, Marches LEP chairman, said the figures showed the extent to which businesses in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin were now working on the global stage.
“This report shows that not only are we seeing significant investment into our region – creating jobs and wealth as a result – but that our companies are increasingly finding a global market for their innovative products.
“We, our local authority partners and the business support teams from the Marches Growth Hub will continue to work closely with the DIT to build on this export success and the inward investment over the coming years as new opportunities arise in both areas.”
Shrewsbury-based Pom Pom Galore – which specialises in decorative pom pom accessories – is highlighted in the report as having taken on new staff after boosting its export business after receiving support to attend a trade event in Amsterdam.
Meanwhile Telford-based Bicycles by Design is now exporting around 20 per cent of its products after targeting overseas markets following help from the DIT.

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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