One of Cumbria’s most prolific exporters has urged businesses across the county to consider how they might capitalise on overseas opportunities.
McMenon Engineering consistently operates in more than 50 export markets, including Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, South Africa and Australia.
The company has world-renowned expertise in flow and temperature measurement technologies and accredited facilities for the energy sector with further ambitions to increase their global footprint in renewables and low carbon energy systems.
Their success comes on the back of a concerted drive to achieve export-led growth for the business – with overseas sales accounting for upwards of 85 per cent of total revenues.
CEO Anand Puthran encourages other Cumbrian businesses to consider exporting as a potential revenue growth stream and to seek the free support and guidance of the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) experts in Cumbria.
He added: “McMenon’s business model has allowed us to enjoy great success through exporting.
“I think that for many people, the word is intimidating – how and where to start can feel overwhelming.
“Our focus on an export-led strategy is underpinned by a mutual respect and cultural awareness of clients worldwide and our strengths as a UK manufacturing organisation which is highly regarded globally for its quality.
“It does require hard work and commitment on the part of the senior management team and, of course, our colleagues in the wider McMenon workforce but you see the benefits.
“To anyone considering export as a strategy, I would say go ahead. Be ambitious, take the initiative and make the best possible use of all assistance, including the fantastic support that is on hand from the Department for International Trade.”
The DIT, supported by the Cumbria LEP, recently launched Export Cumbria, an initiative to encourage more businesses in the county to take advantage of free support and match-funded grants available to help build and deliver export plans.
Sarah Peak, the Department for International Trade’s Export Manager for Cumbria, said: “McMenon is a fantastic example of a business that has set out with a clear strategy and followed it through with remarkable success.
“For an SME in a town on the far west coast of Cumbria to be one of the county’s leading exporters is a testament to the hard work and effort they have put into their export strategy.
“Export works for businesses of all sizes and at every level. It is perfectly normal to start small and then build momentum at a pace that you are comfortable with.
“We are working with one-person home-based businesses through to major tourist attractions and everything in between when it comes to export plans and strategies – and all of the support we offer is free.”
McMenon’s mission is to be the globally trusted partner of choice for flow, temperature, process measurement solutions and contract manufacturing services.
The manufacturer has a 75-year engineering heritage, employing 65 people at its 100,000 sq. ft factory and headquarters in Workington, Cumbria.
The company’s value proposition is “Excellence in delivering engineering, manufacturing and measurement solutions”
Since acquiring the Workington factory from Global automation giants ABB in 2018, the company has invested significantly in product development, certifications and added new markets.
Through inspired thinking and the positive attitude of its people, McMenon has enjoyed significant success over the last three years averaging over 15000 instruments delivered from its factory each year ranging from 100gm instruments to large fabricated products in excess of 10 tons.
If you would like to discuss how to start planning your export strategy, or how to supercharge an existing one, email sarah.peak@tradenw.org
