Engineering A Precise Export Strategy

One of Europe’s leading independent manufacturer’s of precision metal components is bucking the trend by exporting 80 million components each year to China, whilst setting its sights firmly on growing its international presence in the next 18 months.

Brandauer is a family-owned business based in Birmingham and is well-known for its technical excellence, first-class customer service and value for money.

With a projected turnover of £8.9 million in 2012, it is already exporting a large quantity of its products to China for application in white goods.

“Brandauer’s strength has always been its ability to adapt to change and our investment in product research and development has enabled us to deliver competitive precision-engineering solutions to companies across the world,” says Rowan Crozier, sales and marketing director at Brandauer.

“However, our challenge has been to reach out to new customers and to establish contact with key-decision makers.”

The company has been working with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) since 2005 through its International Trade Advisor, Mark Sankey.

Since its initial meeting, Brandauer has re-focused its energies on targeting potential customers in Europe and the United States, which has seen the company grow more than 15 per cent in the last two years.

“Brandauer had a very clear vision of where it wanted to concentrate its efforts and UKTI were able to provide them with the support it required to formulate a more focused sales and marketing strategy,” says Mark Sankey, International Trade Advisor.

As part of its support, Brandauer accessed funding via the WM (SME) Internationalisation project and its European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant.

Available to eligible small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are looking to increase their international presence, Brandauer received £2,500, with 50 per cent matched expenditure.

The funding has enabled the company to attend crucial international exhibitions and meet with potential customers in new areas of Europe to grow the business further.

In the past 18 months, Brandauer has exhibited at medical fairs such as Compamed and Medica in Germany, as well as attend the innovative electronics exhibition – Productronica.

“What has been most beneficial for our company, has been securing new business prospects and opportunities through exhibiting at international shows,” says Rowan.

“More than seventy per cent of our income is already attributed to export activity and the company’s commitment to consolidate its position in new international markets will have long-term benefits.

“We are currently recruiting, especially in our technical and research and development departments, with potential overseas projects already in the pipeline for the next year,” added Rowan.

Access to the ERDF grant can also be obtained through the International Innovation Centre which has been set-up by the WM (SME) Internationalisation project to work specifically with SMEs which are innovative or invest in research and development and are looking to grow their international presence. 

For further information on the project and the International Innovation Centre, please contact: 0845 074 3515.