Southport manufacturer Lattimer has been honoured for its success in international trade at the PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Awards.
The £10million turnover precision-machinist which exports to more than 60 countries was named ‘Small Exporter of the Year’ at the event in the National Railway Museum in York.
Supported by the UK Government’s Department for International Trade (DIT), the awards recognise entrepreneurship and innovation of companies selling products and services in overseas markets.
Lattimer Managing Director Mark Hailwood said the win comes shortly after the firm secured the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
“This is another terrific endorsement for the Lattimer team and their immense effort over many years,” said Mr Hailwood. “The road to exporting can be tough and full of challenges. However, it is hugely rewarding, helping raise ambitions and broaden horizons. Exporting brings about the sort of challenges which help a business to grow, become more resilient and better. It’s an excellent way to test and refine a product or service to make it truly world class.
“Lattimer has been in business since 1937 and has needed to remain innovative and creative to survive. For more than 40 years we have led in the design and manufacture of components for the glass container industry worldwide. This has taken constant hard work, focus and determination. We are the current custodians of a fantastic North West engineering brand, and we are striving to make it better before handing it on to the next generation.
“The business is in a fantastic position recording some of the best sales figures in its history. While these recent award wins help celebrate the heights to which we have climbed, we will always owe a debt of gratitude to the hard work of previous generations, and the long road of exporting which has led us here.”
Northern Powerhouse goods now account for nearly 18pc of the UK’s total goods output. These exports have helped propel the value of the region’s economy to £344 billion – greater than the economies of Austria and Norway. More than 19,500 businesses across the North are now exporting.
Lattimer Holdings CEO Stephen Waterhouse said the Southport firm remains hungry for growth. He said a 15-year plan, new product development and an in-house training academy are paving the way for sustained growth. Meanwhile, a recently expanded European sales force is redoubling efforts to increase market share across the continent.
“Our overseas sales account for a total of 96pc of turnover,” he said. “We have achieved this because of the quality of our products and ability to produce complex, tailor-made solutions. Many of our products have become industry standards, specified and recommended by companies worldwide.
“While Lattimer benefits from years of experience, the sheer volume of parts we supply set us apart from the competition. We now manufacture more than 30,000 components for industry and the brand has become synonymous with quality, consistency, innovation and reliability. A key ingredient to our success is the ability to engineer, design and manufacture special parts addressing specific needs of clients.”
Minister for Trade and Export Promotion Baroness Fairhead who attended the celebration said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the businesses shortlisted for this year’s awards. They have all contributed to the significance of the Northern Powerhouse to UK exports and the UK economy generally. Their export successes are genuinely inspirational.
“The DIT stands ready to help growing businesses like Lattimer export. I encourage local businesses to get in touch with us to learn more about what we can do to help you make the transition from local to global.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry MP said: “I congratulate all the finalists and winners at the PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards which are a great opportunity to celebrate the pivotal contribution made by Northern businesses to the UK’s economy as we prepare to leave the European Union.
“Northern businesses will continue to play a major role in the UK’s export market and I am pleased and proud to continue to offer both my admiration and continued support to them all.”
For more information contact Mark Hailwood on +44 (0)1704 535040, email mark.hailwood@lattimer.com or visit the website www.lattimer.com