This article was published before we became the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade on 10 July 2024, and this is reflected in references to our old brand and name. For more information about us becoming Chartered, visit our dedicated webpage on the change here.

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More than 45 of the North’s most exciting and innovative exporting businesses have made the shortlist of this year’s PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards, powered by UMi. The awards attracted over 120 nominations, from Manchester to Middlesbrough and South Shields to Sheffield; and the export turnover from the 48 finalists alone was in excess of £300 million in 2019.

SHORTLISTED COMPANIES

 

E-commerce exporter of the year

 

Illustrated Identity

Tees Valley

Maxwell Scott

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Quality Bearings Online

Leeds City Region

Virtual Training Centre

Greater Manchester

 

Emerging markets exporter of the year

 

Balmoral Tanks

Sheffield City Region

Brandon Medical Co Ltd

Leeds City Region

Cleveland Bridge UK Limited

Tees Valley

Hart Biologicals

North East

Heap & Partners

Liverpool City Region

Tall Security Print Limited

Cheshire and Warrington

 

Export team of the year

 

ASIC UK & ASIC Global

North East

Ecco Finishing Supplies Limited

North East

Mersen UK Teesside Ltd

Tees Valley

Pattesons Glass Ltd

Humber

Pricecheck

Sheffield City Region

The Group Company

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

 

High growth markets exporter of the year

 

Airedale International

Leeds City Region

Brandon Medical Co Ltd

Leeds City Region

Reach and Rescue Ltd

Greater Manchester

Tomlinson Hall

Tees Valley

 

Large exporter of the year

 

Clarke Energy

Liverpool City Region

Evans Vanodine International Plc

Lancashire

J&C Joel

Humber

M&I Materials Ltd

Greater Manchester

Shulmans LLP

Leeds City Region

thebigword

Leeds City Region

 

Small exporter of the year

 

Arctic Shores

Lancashire

Db Orthodontics

Leeds City Region

Emmark UK Ltd

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Furniture Clinic

North East

Quality Bearings Online

Leeds City Region

Sound Leisure

Leeds City Region

Vixen Surface Treatments

North East

 

Micro exporter of the year

 

Anacarda (Bitrez Ltd)

Greater Manchester

Environmental Defence Systems Ltd

Leeds City Region

m2r Limited (t/a m2r Education)

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Nicander Limited

Tees Valley

OpenWorks Engineering

North East

Semperfli Fly Tying Materials Ltd

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Solar Solve Ltd

North East

 

Most entrepreneurial exporter of the year

 

Airedale International

Leeds City Region

Balmoral Tanks

Sheffield City Region

Coeur De Xocolat

Leeds City Region

Northern Monk Brewing Co Ltd

Leeds City Region

X-Cel Broadcast

Tees Valley

Xerogrid LTD

Leeds City Region

 

New to export

 

Direct Access Consultants Ltd

Cheshire and Warrington

Kraken Im

Tees Valley

Pura Panela Ltd.

Sheffield City Region

Tea+ Vitamin Infused Teas

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Uk Pods Ltd

Tees Valley



The event was created in 2016 by UMi to recognise the North’s top exporters and celebrate their achievements in international trade, while also giving inspiration to others to consider exporting as a realistic opportunity for growth.

Now in their fourth year, the Awards – run in association with HSBC, Teesside International Airport and the University of Teesside - celebrate the achievements and entrepreneurial flair of Northern exporters across nine categories. 

UMi Chief Executive, Nicki Clark, said: “The level of nominees and calibre of businesses are clear evidence of the ambition and global competitiveness that already exist across the North.  But there’s much more to be done.  At UMi we are on a mission to make it easier to run a business by taking the hard work out of finding and using the best information, expertise and finance.  The Northern Powerhouse Export campaign does that by providing inspiration and easy access to the help that’s needed to expand your business’s horizons beyond the shores of the UK.”          

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, said: “As a maritime nation, the UK has a long and proud history of international trade. Our ports and maritime industries have been the backbone of our country’s position as a global trading power. Across the Northern Powerhouse we are seeing increasing levels of activity to ensure that trading power is equally balanced. In 2019 the UK’s export value was in excess of £645bn, with the North leading the way in terms of consistent net exports. 
 
“The Northern Powerhouse Awards are a chance to celebrate the success stories of our great exporting businesses across the North. I am delighted to see a record number of entries this year as more businesses seek to increase exporting activity with global markets, building resilience, boosting economic growth and creating new jobs.”

Nick Missin, HSBC’s Head of Trade, Global Trade & Receivables Finance for the North, said: “The North is home to some of the most innovative and intrepid exporters in the UK and we’re proud to support them as they take their goods and services to the world.

“I’d like to congratulate every business that has been recognised by being shortlisted for an award, they are all an inspiration to businesses across the region. At HSBC UK we have trade specialists on hand to help businesses take their first step into exporting or expand their operations to meet growing customer demand and find growth.”

Professor Jane Turner, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise & Business Engagement), from the University of Teesside, said: “Teesside University is delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Northern Powerhouse Export Awards.  We make it our mission to work with innovative, ambitious companies to help them grow through R&D, skills development, being able to recruit the best talent and not least through networks and collaboration. Building export markets is a sure route to success. These awards are an excellent showcase for the many exporting businesses powering our economy, and for the drive, talent and business acumen that characterise our region.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming these fantastic shortlisted companies to Teesside International for the PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards, the first of what will be many events coming to our airport. These are all worthy businesses which are helping our economy by driving international trade, and I’m determined our airport will also play its part in doing so, as well as attracting inward investment to the region.”

The judging panel is made up of PD Ports, HSBC, DIT and the University of Teesside, and met recently to decide the winners of each category, to be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 19 March 2020 at Teesside International Airport.