Businesses descended on Cardiff Bay on 24 September for Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s Exporting Excellence: Welsh Export and Innovation Success Stories event in collaboration with partners Atradius and Welsh Government. Featuring several inspirational stories from exporters across Wales, the morning highlighted the potential of innovative exporting and how businesses can take advantage of exporting opportunities.

The event couldn’t be better timed after the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, reiterated a collaborative approach from government to help support export growth in Wales, earlier in the week. After a welcome from Atradius’ Tanya Giles, attendees heard from the Welsh Government and were treated to three success stories of Welsh exporting.

What support is available from the Welsh Government?

Trade advisor Ruth Stockley stated that growing Welsh exports is a priority for the government and that they want to inspire businesses with their Export Action Plan and their new Export Accelerator programme.

Their international trade advisors support businesses across Wales, being helpful points of contact for those seeking export assistance and signposting to tools like the Export Hub, opportunities to come together with likeminded companies through the Export Cluster programme, grants, trade missions and bespoke consultancy. Ruth also gave a shout out to the Chamber for providing pivotal help on exporting documentation!

Which businesses have tasted export success?

Dr Organic, a multi award-winning personal care solutions business which specialises in natural and organic products, was established in 2007 and carries out the bulk of its trade in Europe. The business trades with 50 international markets, 74 different distributors and have identified opportunities to access and grow in the Australian and Chinese markets.

Commercial Manager Lauren Williams’ top tips included identifying suitable partners and distributors, starting small and seeking help when needed, especially making the most of the Chamber’s wealth of knowledge.

Ecolab Bioprocessing create high performance bioprocessing chromatography resins from Llantrisant. 97% of the resin manufactured in Llantrisant is exported internationally and the company invests to facilitate the growth in demand and increased production requirements. Dr Johanna Howson and Joseph Durrant cited localised expertise, export trade missions and leveraging Welsh Government trade funding as tools that have helped them achieve success.

Likewise, Deploy Tech, who provide water tanks in flat-packed concrete, have also used Welsh Government grants to find their own path and support customers across the world including in Africa. Their products are desired internationally due to the convenience of the product, as well as the functionality and the firm exports 95% of its business.

The event presented an incredible opportunity for small to medium businesses to network with others who have demonstrated export success, gather insightful information and find ways to improve their trade journeys in the future.

The Chamber offers a range of international trade services to help anyone looking to understand more or take their first exporting step, curating end-to-end supply chain connectivity across national and global markets.