Focus SB’s managing director accepts DIT Export Champion role
Earlier this year, Gary Stevens, managing director of electrical accessories manufacturer Focus SB, was delighted to accept an invitation from the Department for International Trade (DIT) to become an Export Champion for the South East UK, in recognition of the company’s achievement at becoming the first and only British (and European) premium electrical wiring accessories manufacturer licensed to export and sell to China’s luxury hospitality and residential construction markets in 2017.
South East Regional Director, Ben Raby offers congratulations on behalf of the DIT: “A huge congratulations to Gary Stevens from Focus SB for becoming one of our highly valued South East Export Champions.
“Focus SB is a company that manufactures electrical wiring accessories and has extensive experience in trading overseas, including having the unique position of being the only UK manufacturer licensed to export its sockets and switches to China. This experience makes the company a perfect fit for the Export Champion programme.
"DIT’s Export Champion programme aims to highlight inspirational exporters who are willing to share their stories and support for other SMEs aspiring to trade overseas. With export playing a significant role in supporting our economy, especially as we begin to address the economic challenge posed by coronavirus, Gary Stevens and the wider Focus SB company will be a fount of knowledge for budding exporters”.
Gary comments: “I was delighted to accept the Export Champion role in recognition of the contribution Focus SB makes towards the South East’s economic growth. It’s a great honour for us to be part of the programme and I intend to contribute as much as I can to share our positive export story and experiences trading with China, albeit currently restricted by the current coronavirus situation. I am more than happy to do my bit to encourage and support those businesses still exploring export opportunities. We now have seven showrooms and 10 sub distributors out there, and business has really taken off.”
He concludes: “We would certainly advise other companies who are considering embarking upon an export strategy to seek the help and advice from the DIT and in particular we would encourage them to not only seek the support from the UK DIT team but also the DIT team in the territory/territories they are looking to venture into.
“The DIT has introduced us to clients in the creative industries in China, and provided valuable support from the government’s trade development fund, as well as market information and webinars on exporting and regular support via its social media channels in China. We’ve also benefited from project introductions in Dubai this year, and grants for travel to networking events in China and the Middle East, with Mark Thomas, our sales office and export manager, officially part of the DIT’s Trade Mission to The Big 5 in Dubai event last year which has introduced us to a major new project opportunity.”
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