Breaking language barriers for UK exporting firms

GAVIN WHEELDON: “We need an increase in exporting activity”

Oldham Works: a major campaign to boost Oldham, its business, and its people
Applied Language Solutions, the Delph-based translations company, has teamed up with Google, Royal Mail, HSBC Bank and UK Trade and Investment — the Government body set up to support exporting companies — to launch Export Box, a pre-packaged service for businesses wanting to trade internationally.

Export Box was the brainchild of Applied Language Solutions chief executive Gavin Wheeldon, who said: “It is estimated that only 75,000 businesses in Britain are exporting outside the UK which simply isn’t enough, especially as the potential revenue gained by successfully tapping into international markets could be a vital lifeline for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) during the economic downturn.”

According to research from the Government department for Business, Enterprise Regulatory Reform, there are huge opportunities for SMEs in the UK if they can be encouraged to export their goods and services.

Less than 20 per cent of SMEs are currently trading outside the UK while half of those that do export expect to increase turnover and 34 per cent expect to increase levels of exporting in the next 12 months.

Of all companies currently not exporting, only 4 per cent think they will do so in the next year.

Introduction

Aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized companies to trade internationally, Export Box has been designed as an easy, low-cost, low-risk introduction to exporting products and services which provides help and advice on website translation, advertising, cross-boarder logistics and payments. With the backing of UKTI, companies wanting to invest in overseas expansion could be eligible, under the Passport to Export scheme, to receive a rebate against the cost of Export Box by up to 50 per cent.

Mr Wheeldon added: “Working with Google is going to make Export Box readily available to thousands of businesses across the country by featuring on its Export Adviser website (google.co.uk/exportadviser) alongside a raft of additional information to help small businesses reach new customers overseas. Export Box is also available direct from www.exportbox.co.uk

“With a current trading deficit of £2.5 billion, we need a 5.25 per cent increase in exporting activity to equal current importing levels.

Confidence

“Our aim with Export Box is to kick-start the British export trade by giving businesses the confidence to look at overseas opportunities and realise how easy it is with the right support.”

Export Box is primarily aimed at SMEs looking for an affordable way to enter new markets. Available for £3,000, the package also includes membership of the Institute of Export — a registered charity and the professional membership body supporting the interests of everyone involved in international trade — and exclusive rates for international shipping and bank transfers.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas, said: “Like most brilliant business ideas, this one is essentially quite simple, but all credit to Gavin Wheeldon for putting together a business partnership that, in the long run, could revolutionise British industry.

“To see a small business within my constituency working with global players is something of which, locally, we are all very proud.”