A manufacturing company which has its humble beginnings in Liverpool is building its business overseas.
Transformers UK designs and manufactures threaded screws, assembly parts and accessories for the electronics, automotive and petrochemical industries is building business overseas with help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
This year alone the company has seen overall turnover grow by 30%, and export turnover as a percentage of business has increased from approximately 10% in 2009 to 67% this year.
Transformers UK has been in Merseyside since the 1960s, when the firm was opened by Ken Baker with a start up capital of £12.10, and serviced contracts in the then buoyant Telecommunications Industry.
As technology advanced, and telecommunications business declined, the firm invested in the latest cold forging machinery and developed new methods in high speed production of specialised fasteners.
Fifteen years ago Ken retired and helped facilitate a management buyout by the team who had worked for him for many years.
At the time exports were reactive and only accounted for a very small percentage of the business, but as traditional UK customers declined, Managing Director Peter Marray recognised a need to move to overseas markets and contacted UKTI.
Transformers UK joined Passport to Export, UKTI’s flagship programme for new and inexperienced exporters, and Peter says that the course was very useful in opening their eyes to what was available in term of assistance with overseas trade.
Peter says, “After completing the Passport to Export programme we realised that as a company we were very good at what we do but not so good at promoting ourselves. We put in a new management and information system to improve efficiency and UKTI helped us to redesign our website and marketing materials.
“We learned that the Middle East and Saudi Arabia in particular would be very good markets for us, as they have a very strong customer base who are willing to buy UK goods, and we were able to use the expertise of UKTI to help us enter the market.”
Peter commissioned an OMIS report on Saudi Arabia. OMIS is a bespoke service, which puts businesses directly in touch with UKTI staff in over 100 Embassies and Consulates worldwide. The staff can access the best country and sector-specific information and introduce companies directly to buyers and distributors.
Transformers UK also visited Saudi Arabia twice with assistance from UKTI, which resulted in substantial orders. Since then the company has successfully penetrated other markets including Scandinavia, and has signed up to Gateway to Global Growth, UKTI’s programme for more advanced exporters, with the intention of growing their overseas customer base even further.
Peter adds, “After the recession hit a couple of years ago business in the UK really declined. The slowdown in the economy meant that nobody wanted to hold stock, and although we could have ridden it out we wanted to explore new markets.
“We manufacture specialised parts for the automated assembly of everything from cars to white goods, and because of the way the goods are assembled our products have to be 100% accurate and it is this attention to detail and consistent quality which has enabled us to find markets overseas and to be able to export from the UK.
“We are delighted with our success so far and are grateful to Mike Connor, our International Trade Advisor, who has really helped us with advice, support and practical assistance as we got to grips with the details of exporting. We are now hoping to expand our international trade base and are looking forward to exploring new markets in the future.”
Mike Connor, International Trade Advisor for UKTI North West adds,
“Transformers UK is a great success story for Merseyside. The company is a fantastic testament to the quality of manufactured goods in the UK, as the high standard of the products has enabled the company to find customers overseas when the home market contracted.
“The North West is home to a strong manufacturing sector, which is well placed to assist the region’s recovery by increasing its exports. UKTI North West can offer companies a broad range of support services, market visits, introductions and advice to help them grow their overseas trade, and we would encourage other companies to get in touch and see how we can help.”
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