Whatmore
The What More UK manufacturing site
The cautionary advice issued by industry bodies as to a potential slowdown for the UK's manufacturing base in the coming year is seemingly passing one Lancashire-based manufacturer of plastics products by.
What More UK, based in Padiham, has started 2016 by adding Sweden as its 64th export destination to the global list of countries where it is selling its range of ‘Wham’ branded plastic household goods.
A large order for garden planters from one of Sweden's key retailers allowed What More to tick the Scandinavian nation off its target list, with the company saying it is confident of further orders.
What More already exports to fellow Scandinavian nations Denmark, Finland and Europe, as well as other countries around the globe, including sending plastic products to China and the Far East.
"Adding Sweden to our growing list of export markets is a great way to start the New Year," said What More UK Director, Tony Grimshaw.
"It's testament to the hard work of our colleagues both at our offices in Padiham and our manufacturing facility just up the road at Altham, where an obsessive attention to quality helps us to win new customers for our products around the world."
What More UK only began exporting in 2008 after first establishing a strong business supplying retailers across the UK. Its international success was given a Royal seal of approval in 2014 with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Last month it was also recognised as ‘Outstanding Exporter of the Year’ by the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. (Read the story here)
A short video showcasing What More's manufacturing capabilities has also been chosen to help launch a new online TV channel for UK Trade and Industry (UKTI), the Government department which advises and encourages UK exporters.
What More has benefited from a wealth of free support and advice from UKTI's North West office under its director Clive Drinkwater. The new channel, "Export TV", will be promoted through Britain's global network of foreign embassies and you can see the video at: https://youtu.be/aVPH90ebYqw