SMEs in Northern Ireland: You could be a Made in the UK, Sold to the World Award winner in 2024
SMEs across the UK can now enter prestigious awards organised by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Entries are open until 14 January, 2024, and applications are invited from a broad spectrum of industry sectors.
The Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards 2024 has been created to celebrate shining examples of success for firms that design, produce and trade on a global level.
How to enter
Submitting an application couldn’t be easier … simply fill in a short submission form online, and a judging panel will consider all entries. The panel is made up of DBT experts that specialise in each industry sector, and independent expert Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade, and who will be returning to the judging panel for a second year after hugely enjoying his experience in year one.
He said he was particularly impressed with the depth of talent and entrepreneurial spirit shown by previous entries, and hopes even more companies will apply this year.
He added: “This competition is further proof that international trade is a force for good, and that British goods and services are hugely valued overseas. The Institute of Export & International Trade is a proud partner of these awards, and we will continue to work closely with DBT to champion the amazing work being undertaken by UK businesses trading across the world.’’
Who can enter
The competition is open to SMEs in the UK with 250 members of staff or fewer.
There are additional categories to enter this year, including Consultancy and Professional Services and Low Carbon Energy.
These include:
– Creative Industries
– Healthcare
– FinTech and Financial Services
– Consultancy and Professional Services
– Infrastructure and Engineering
– Low Carbon Energy
– Agriculture, Food and Drink
– Education and EdTech
– Retail and Consumer Goods
– Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and Construction
The judging panel will have the tricky task of choosing one winner, and three highly commended businesses in each category.
Category winners will receive a trophy, certification, extension promotion and a digital badge for their website, together with a free annual membership to the Institute of Export and International Trade (IoEIT). Highly commended runners up will also be recognised.
Concrete Canvas
Earlier this year, Concrete Canvas was named winner of the Manufacturing category of the inaugural Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards 2023. The concrete solutions business designs innovative products to help with a wide range of erosion control applications, its ‘Concrete on a Roll’ product is typically 10x faster to install and has much lower embodied carbon. The company provides an easy to use, rapidly installed, waterproof concrete layer to help assist in building rapid infrastructure and sells its innovative products to more than 80 countries globally.
By expanding into overseas markets, more than 85% of the company's revenue now comes from international sales. Concrete Canvas' entry into the ‘Manufacturing’ awards category was noted by judges as showing impressive adaptability to market access.
The entry noted their success from entering the Japanese market, traditionally viewed as a difficult place to export to and build a successful business, which has been their number one export market for the last five years.
Exporting has also helped spread risk through a broad customer base, reducing the impact of economic downturns and macro events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. CC Ltd saw no drop in sales over the pandemic, largely thanks to its diversified customer base.
Innovation is at the core of future planning and sales for CC Ltd, with its latest product launched in July 2022, already contributing to 25% of overall sales. Secondly, the US is a huge international market for the business and one that it is yet to maximise to its full potential. CC Ltd has since opened its first US office to drive growth overseas with a team of direct staff.
For more information and to enter visit the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards website.