This year’s PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards, hosted by UMi, has shortlisted 48 companies in recognition for their overseas success.

The finalists were selected from over 120 nominations from across the North of England, with the shortlisted companies alone having generated in excess of £300 million in export turnover last year.

The event, established in 2016 by UMi, recognises the North’s top exporters and highlights their achievements in international trade, while also encouraging others to consider exporting as a realistic growth strategy.

Now in their fourth year, the Export Awards, held in association with HSBC, Teesside International Airport and the University of Teesside, highlight the North’s exporting success stories across nine categories.

This year, nine of the companies shortlisted were part of the ExportExchange network which helps to spread export advice across the Leeds City Region. Quality Bearings Online, Brandon Medical and Airedale International were all shortlisted in two categories for their overseas achievements. Single nominations went to Sound Leisure, thebigword, m2r Education, Coeur De Xocolat, Northern Monk Brewing Co Ltd and Xerogrid Ltd.

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, said: “As a maritime nation, the UK has a long and proud history of international trade. Our ports and maritime industries have been the backbone of our country’s position as a global trading power. Across the Northern Powerhouse we are seeing increasing levels of activity to ensure that trading power is equally balanced. In 2019 the UK’s export value was in excess of £645bn, with the North leading the way in terms of consistent net exports.

“The Northern Powerhouse Awards are a chance to celebrate the success stories of our great exporting businesses across the North. I am delighted to see a record number of entries this year as more businesses seek to increase exporting activity with global markets, building resilience, boosting economic growth and creating new jobs.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 19 March 2020 at Teesside International Airport.

SHORTLISTED COMPANIES

E-commerce exporter of the year:

- Illustrated Identity
- Maxwell Scott
- Quality Bearings Online
- Virtual Training Centre

Emerging markets exporter of the year:

- Balmoral Tanks
- Brandon Medical Co Ltd
- Cleveland Bridge UK Limited
- Hart Biologicals
- Heap & Partners
- Tall Security Print Limited

Export team of the year:

- ASIC UK & ASIC Global
- Ecco Finishing Supplies Limited
- Mersen UK Teesside Ltd
- Pattesons Glass Ltd
- Pricecheck
- The Group Company

High growth markets exporter of the year:

- Airedale International
- Brandon Medical Co Ltd
- Reach and Rescue Ltd
- Tomlinson Hall

Large exporter of the year:

- Clarke Energy
- Evans Vanodine International Plc
- J&C Joel
- M&I Materials Ltd
- Shulmans LLP
- thebigword

Small exporter of the year:

- Arctic Shores
- Db Orthodontics
- Emmark UK Ltd
- Furniture Clinic
- Quality Bearings Online
- Sound Leisure
- Vixen Surface Treatments

Micro exporter of the year:

- Anacarda (Bitrez Ltd)
- Environmental Defence Systems Ltd
- m2r Limited (t/a m2r Education)
- Nicander Limited
- OpenWorks Engineering
- Semperfli Fly Tying Materials Ltd
- Solar Solve Ltd

Most entrepreneurial exporter of the year:

- Airedale International
- Balmoral Tanks
- Coeur De Xocolat
- Northern Monk Brewing Co Ltd
- X-Cel Broadcast
- Xerogrid LTD

New to export:

- Direct Access Consultants Ltd
- Kraken Im
- Pura Panela Ltd.
- Tea+ Vitamin Infused Teas
- Uk Pods Ltd