Export accolade for Pittards
The leathermaker Pittards has been named the UK’s ‘Overall Exporter of the Year’ in a prestigious national competition sponsored by HSBC bank
The company was awarded the accolade at the high profile 2002 International Business Awards. Held in London on November 19 and attended by more than 400 of the UK’s top exporters, the award presentations also saw Pittards scoop the ‘Corporate Exporter of the Year’ award for companies with an annual turnover of over £25m.
Mike Dodd, Pittards' business Development Director, said: "It was certainly an evening to remember and of course we are delighted to have won both awards. We were pleasantly surprised to win the overall Corporate Exporter of the Year and it is an indication of a dedicated effort across the business for many years."
In awarding the top prize to Pittards, the judging panel cited the success of the company’s policy of product and market diversification, and finding new applications for its range of technical leathers. The approach had enabled the company to expand its share of the international market, in spite of the adverse macroeconomic situation that included the strong pound, foot and mouth and the downturn in US consumer spending.
In announcing the award, Pittards said it had also managed to increase its exports to Italy by 100% last year and that it has recently entered or increased business in China, Vietnam, Russia, Romania and Indonesia.
