Upstream specialist scoops international trade award

Paul Boughton

Upstream valve engineering specialist Severn Glocon Group has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, International Trade for the second time in four years.

The award recognises the British manufacturer’s three-year trajectory of continuous growth in overseas sales. Between 2010 and 2012 international trade increased by 120% and now represents 68% of total group turnover.

Growth was accelerated by strategic acquisitions of UK firms specialising in subsea and butterfly valves within the three-year timeframe. This diversification enhances the scope of the group’s British engineering and manufacturing capabilities for the global oil and gas industry.

New developments in Australia, China, Brazil, India and Iraq were instrumental in the award win. Established markets such as the Middle East also played a major role in overall international sales uplift. The firm has permanently relocated its most senior technical director in Abu Dhabi as it seeks to further strengthen its foothold in the Middle East.

The Group has continued to invest in its facilities and infrastructure. Noteworthy advancements include the relocation of established plant division Severn Unival to purpose-built £2.5m premises in Brighouse, significant expansion of manufacturing facilities in India and installation of sophisticated testing equipment at Gloucester.

A Regional Growth Fund grant facilitated the opening of a dedicated Valve Innovation Centre at the Brighouse site. This represents one facet of an enhanced focus on research and development that helps the Group compete more effectively with larger US conglomerates. Switching banks enabled the Group to benefit from Government lending schemes and make new bonding facilities that provide innovative, flexible funding for international trading.

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