James Briggs has announced a marked increase in its export activity, approaching 10 per cent of its total sales activity as it reaches the end of its current financial year.
Despite the UK’s chemicals industry suffering a difficult first quarter, with exports falling by £500million, a bumper April saw the Oldham-based manufacturer buck the trend, with overseas sales in the month hitting 10 per cent of all business – double its export rate throughout the first half of the year.
The boost is in part thanks to growing sales in Southeast Asia through James Briggs’ professional cleaning brand, Premiere Products, which it acquired in April 2015.
Commenting on the growth, James Briggs CEO Tim Pugh said: “Our reputation overseas is constantly growing, and we’re beginning to see that reflected in our bottomline. The past 12 months have seen us enter markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and we’re targeting a number of other new geographies as part of our ongoing growth strategy.
“During the acquisition process, we recognised the growth potential that the Premiere Products brand could offer alongside our existing products, so it’s extremely rewarding to see it contributing so significantly. I’m confident it will continue to prove a valuable asset as we further develop our export portfolio and look towards a strong finish to our financial year.”