As part of our build up to the Queen's Award Gala Dinner this September, we're talking to some of this year's international trade winners.
In this interview, we talk to Luton based industrial flooring manufacturer Ecotile Flooring Ltd
What does your business do and where are you at the moment in terms of your exports?
Ecotile Flooring Ltd manufactures PVC interlocking floor tiles at our factory in Luton. We set up the factory in 2009 and our tiles are used by many of the UK’s blue chip manufacturing and engineering companies such as Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Bosch, Honeywell, Cobham and Thales as well as warehouses such as TK Maxx, Morrison’s and Royal Mail. We export to over 40 countries worldwide and approximately 40% of our total sales are exports. We have just bought a fourth injection moulding machine to cope with increasing demand in particular from our export partners which will give us capacity of 1200m2 per day.
How did it feel to win a Queen’s Award and how has winning one impacted your business?
The entire company was incredibly proud and excited to win not just one but two Queen’s Enterprise awards. As one of only five companies to achieve this throughout the UK we felt it was fantastic recognition of all the hard work we’ve put in over the years to develop the best quality and innovative products and to then sell them all over the world in an extremely competitive market. The response we’ve had from existing customers and companies who hadn’t previously heard of us has been overwhelming, winning these awards has dramatically increased awareness of our company and products as well as cementing our existing reputation for quality and customer service.
What was the main factor for you in taking up IOE&IT membership?
Exports are an extremely important element of our business model and that will only increase as we seek to achieve our ambitious growth targets. We believe that as members of the IoE we will have access to a unique range of benefits and services that will inform and support our export strategy. We are particularly interested in the expertise and advice that is available to ensure we make the best decisions and also want to take advantage of the opportunities to export to new markets and companies that membership will give us.
Are you looking forward to the Queen’s Award dinner? What are you most looking forward to about it?
Yes, very much! None of us have been to an event at the Horseguards Hotel before so we’re looking forward to experiencing the wonderful surroundings and hopefully some good food and wine. It will also be a great opportunity to network with fellow forward thinking companies who are growing their business through export and learn from their experiences.
What’s the next big thing for your business?
More exports! We are currently focusing on the German market having recruited a sales rep to represent us there which is going very well and I am personally responsible for developing sales in the Americas which is starting to pay dividends and involves lots of fun trips for me primarily to Boston and Mexico City.
You can sign up to the Queen's Award dinner for a fabulous celebration of the Queen's Award winners' achievements at the Royal Horseguards Hotel here.
You can also apply for an award yourself in this year's International Category - more info.
