Cotswold Business & Professional's 50 top exporters
PUBLISHED: 12:42 16 January 2018 | UPDATED: 12:42 16 January 2018

Cotswold Business & Professional 50 top exporters
Archant
The Cotswolds is home to an extraordinary range of companies operating on the global stage. Lucy Parford looks at 50 of the best
From award-winning skincare to cyber security systems, the Cotswolds is exporting a dynamic range of innovative products all around the globe.
Ranging from large multinationals to small start-ups, their success in international trade is inspirational.
For those just entering the export market, help is at hand from Business West which offers support to firms so they can take full advantage of the exciting opportunities on offer.
Ian Mean, Gloucestershire Director of Business West, which runs the Department for International Trade contract in the South West, said: “Despite the challenging national and global backdrop where instability currently tops the agenda in the UK, we have seen that businesses still want to do business with each other.
“Many companies shy away from exporting because they perceive it to be ‘only for larger companies’ or ‘it’s too complicated’. Not true. If you are selling successfully in the UK there is no reason why you cannot sell abroad. There is plenty of support available for businesses in this region.
“We have looked at every possible friction point associated with the process of exporting and we have simplified it. From market research, export strategy to documentation, and trade missions, we cover everything. Even connecting buyers who are ready to buy with sellers via our online directory - a simple, trusted online space where the buyer and seller can browse through, and pursue those of interest.
“By bringing all elements of business support under one-roof, using our global network of Chambers and private sector partners, and removing the friction between buyers and sellers, Business West has tried to ensure that, despite what the politicians are doing, we can still drive business growth and success for businesses in this region.”
__________________________________________________
1. Adey Professional Heating Systems
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 8NR
Exporting to 20 countries
£50 million turnover
Five per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Extensive range of domestic and commercial MagnaClean filters and chemicals for the maintenance and protection of central heating and cooling systems.
__________________________________________________
2. Advanced Insulation Limited
Hardwicke, Gloucester, GL2 4PA
Exporting to over 27 countries
£58 million turnover
94 per cent of sales are exports
Advanced Insulation is a British manufacturer of innovative topside and subsea insulation, Passive Fire Protection (PFP), Cryogenic Spill Protection (CSP), buoyancy and cable protection systems – providing a range of products that enhance the safety and efficiency of its clients’ operations throughout the world.
__________________________________________________
3. AGD Systems
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 OTF
Exporting to 35 countries
Over £7 million turnover
15 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
AGD make easy to integrate globally compatible ITS product solutions designed to help create safer, greener and more efficient traffic and transport environments.
__________________________________________________
Hazleton, Cheltenham, GL54 4DX
Exporting to 50 countries
£14 million turnover
85 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
A Queens Award winner. Designs and manufactures a range of attachments for excavators, tele-handlers and truck cranes. The expanding product range includes earth drills, augers, trenchers, hedge trimmers, log splitters, stump planers and more.
__________________________________________________
5. Avon Metals
Gloucester, GL2 5DA
Exporting to 50 countries
£50 million turnover
50 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Exports a combination of manufactured and traded metals and alloys including aluminium master alloys, aluminium casting alloys, ferro aluminium, minor metals and scrap (including aluminium, titanium, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys).
__________________________________________________
6. Cotek Papers
Draycott, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL54 9JU
Exporting to 35 countries
£12 million turnover
40 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Leading B2B manufacturer of specialist release paper and film, concentrating on two side and differential silicone coatings produced on solvent free coating machinery. Specialises in accurate, stable silicone release coatings on all types of paper, PET, HDPE or PP film.
__________________________________________________
Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9LN
Exporting to four countries
Turnover: undisclosed
60 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Enables German hauliers to improve their efficiency and offer their customers cost-effective and reliable deliveries throughout the UK from one pallet to a full trailer load.
__________________________________________________
Cotswold Dene, Standlake, Oxfordshire, 0X29 7PL
Exporting to 90 countries
£10 million turnover
70 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Manufacturer and exporter of aircraft refuelling vehicles and systems delivering to customers worldwide. Offering full back up with spares and training. It also now offers a BTEC training course in Fuel Handling in its bespoke training facilities.
__________________________________________________
9. Fluid Transfer International
Nailsworth, GL6 0BS
Exporting to 85 countries
£8 million turnover
83 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Provides total aviation refuelling solutions worldwide. Focusing on the design, development and manufacture of aircraft refuelling vehicles and systems, also marketing a range of associated fuelling components.
__________________________________________________
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN
Exporting to over 40 countries
Turnover: multi-million
85 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Freeman Technology specialises in systems for measuring the flow properties of powders and has over 15 years’ experience in powder flow and powder characterisation. Expert teams provide comprehensive support alongside the company’s range of products.
__________________________________________________
Steventon, Abingdon, OX13 6RX
Exporting to 10 countries
Turnover £1.55 million
55 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
As both a vehicle restoration company and individual component manufacturer Frontline has a mix of exports from complete cars to individual private owners through to small vehicle parts being sold into distributors.
__________________________________________________
12. Gantrail
Hempsted, Gloucester, GL2 5HG
Exporting to over 10 countries
£12.9 million turnover
80 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Specialises in the design, supply and installation of Crane Rail Systems. Now serving a world-wide market for its products and services and considered one of the leaders in its field.
__________________________________________________
13. Green Fuels Ltd
Gloucestershire Science & Technology Park, Berkeley, GL13 9FB
Exporting to 50 countries
£3 million turnover
85 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Manufactures and supplies waste to biofuel production equipment. The fuel produced is a direct diesel replacement and Green Fuels has also developed technology to produce bio-aviation fuel. Green Fuels customers to date have saved over 4m tonnes of CO2 emissions and it holds a Royal Warrant for its supply of sustainable biofuel to HRH The Prince of Wales.
__________________________________________________
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 9YW
Exporting to 20 countries
£1.2 million turnover
50 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Hawkins & Brimble is an award-winning men’s grooming and skincare brand made in the UK and with natural ingredients. Products include shave cream, shampoo, body wash and beard oil.
__________________________________________________
15. Helipebs
Gloucester, GL2 0RE
Exporting to 31 countries
£4.9 million turnover
53 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Designs and manufactures hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders/actuators for use in the subsea oil and gas, pharmaceutical, fatigue testing, tooling, aluminium smelting and leisure industries to latest ISO standards.
__________________________________________________
16. Kohler Mira
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5EP
Exporting to over 31 countries
£multi-million
12 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Three market-leading brands; Mira Showers, Rada and Kohler UK providing a comprehensive range of bathroom and washroom solutions for both domestic and commercial environments.
__________________________________________________
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8ND
Exporting to 40 countries
£52 million turnover
35 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Works in partnership with defence and civil organisations to design and deliver advanced electronic warfare and cyber security systems for the protection of people, infrastructure and assets worldwide.
__________________________________________________
18. Marmalade Fine Fragrance Ltd
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 8LZ
Export deals signed in Dubai, USA, Canada and retailers supplied direct in Singapore, Bermuda, Barbados and Europe. Further export enquiries arrive every week.
Forecast UK turnover 2018 £2 million
Established 2012 in Cheltenham, supplying over 500 UK retailers. Designs and manufactures in the UK high quality candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, soaps, body washes and lotions.
__________________________________________________
Oxford, OX4 6NL
Exporting to over 110 countries
94 billion Euros turnover for the entire BMW Group
80 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Plant Oxford is the birthplace and heart of MINI production. Manufactured to individual customer specifications, one thousand MINIs leave the plant’s assembly lines daily. Plant Oxford makes the MINI 3-door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Clubman body styles, as well as sporty John Cooper Works models.
__________________________________________________
20. Moog Aircraft, Moog Industrial & Moog Space & Defence
Tewkesbury GL20 8NA and Cheltenham GL51 8LZ
Exporting globally
£multi-billion
Three separate Groups in the Cotswolds: Moog Aircraft: primary & secondary flight control & actuation systems, Moog Industrial: industrial machine control, service, test systems & F1, Moog Space & Defence: designs & manufactures precision control valves for space satellite & small launchers.
__________________________________________________
21. Neon Play
Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1UP
Exporting to 150 countries
Turnover: not disclosed
80 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Mobile games studio Neon Play has over 65 million downloads of their games. Purchased last year by Hachette UK, the second biggest book publisher in the UK, new games coming out in 2018 include The Lost Temples, Bravo Force and Levity.
__________________________________________________
Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 3JU
Exporting to 70 countries
£26.2m turnover
72 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Norbar provides solutions for precision torque control applications. Most often, products are used for the accurate tightening of threaded fasteners. However, its tools and measurement solutions are utilised in a host of applications in which torque needs to be accurately applied or measured, in every industry from sub-sea to space.
__________________________________________________
23. Ohbot
Chalford, Gloucestershire, GL6 8NR
Exporting to 22 countries
First year turnover was £91,000
A quarter of sales were to overseas customers
Ohbot is a robot head that children can program to sense, look around, blink and speak. Manufactured in Stroud, they now enable children to develop an understanding of robotics and programming in over 1,000 schools worldwide.
__________________________________________________
24. Owen Mumford
Woodstock, Oxfordshire, 0X20 1TU
Exporting to 63 countries
£87 million turnover
85 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Develops pioneering medical devices for its own Owen Mumford brand and custom device solutions for the world’s major pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.
__________________________________________________
Abingdon, Oxfordshire, 0X13 5QX
Exports worldwide
£348.5 million turnover
Over 90 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Leading provider of high technology tools and systems for research and industry. Design and manufacture equipment that can fabricate, characterise, manipulate and analyse matter at the atomic and molecular level.
__________________________________________________
26. Pashley Cycles
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9NL
Exporting to over 40 countries
£4.5m turnover
Over 35 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Producing high-quality, hand-built bicycles since 1926. Pashley is the longest-established bicycle manufacturer in the UK.
__________________________________________________
27. Penlon Ltd
Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3NB
Exports to over 90 countries
£12.5 million turnover
More than 80 per cent turnover attributed to exports
The UK headquarters in Abingdon and manufacturing underpin Penlon’s key areas of business; Anaesthesia, Intubation and Suction and Oxygen Therapy. Supported by a global sales and technical service team.
__________________________________________________
28. PKL Group
Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 7DQ
Exporting to 11 countries
£18 million turnover
34 per cent of turnover outside the UK
PKL Group is the UK’s leading supplier of temporary kitchens and catering equipment for hire, with more than 25 years’ experience. It has 600 portable kitchens and in excess of 10,000 items of catering equipment available in its hire fleet.
__________________________________________________
Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester, GL2 2HA
Exporting to 90 countries
£15.8 million turnover
88 per cent turnover attributed to exports
A world leader in the design and manufacture of dental drills and precision dental instruments, namely tungsten carbide, diamond and steel rotary products. It manufactures nearly 30 million drills a year.
__________________________________________________
30. Quickgrind
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8SL
Exporting to 37 countries
Turnover: undisclosed
79 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Exports solid industrial carbide cutting tools and remanufacturing services to customers using mould and die and aluminium extrusion. Cutting tool related consultancy, and its QuickVend solution for point-of-use vending and accurate stock control.
__________________________________________________
31. Renishaw
Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8JR
Exporting to over 50 countries
£537 million turnover
95 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Precision measurement sensors for manufacturers to make products more precisely, automate processes, reduce scrap, improve motion control; products for spectroscopy, dentistry, neurosurgery and metal 3D printing machines.
__________________________________________________
32. Robert Welch
Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6DY
Exporting to 83 countries
£7 million turnover
44 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Winner of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: International Trade 2016 and The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: Innovation 2017. Designer and supplier of high quality cutlery, tableware, kitchenware and bathroom ware to consumers, retailers, hotels and restaurants.
__________________________________________________
33. Room 58
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1TA
Exporting to 51 countries
£1.8 million turnover
Over 75 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Room 58 is a global software company, managing, enhancing and protecting the integrity of some of the largest automotive brands across the globe. With a combination of online solutions operating in over 51 countries and 30 languages the company has now begun its growth into the US market.
__________________________________________________
Staverton, Gloucester, GL2 9QH
Exporting to over 50 countries
£multi-million
Over 95 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
World leader in design, development, manufacture and support of aircraft landing and braking systems. Over 24,000 aircraft in-service worldwide fitted with its landing gear.
__________________________________________________
Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, GL2 4NF
Exporting to 64 countries
£99m turnover
86 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Severn Glocon Group delivers innovation solutions by providing a wide range of valves and associated services to the Oil & Gas industry and the full spectrum of energy industries, including subsea, LNG and power. In more recent years, as the energy sector has evolved, it has applied its diversification strategy, making significant progress in environmentally-focused areas, such as renewable power and water purification.
__________________________________________________
36. Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 8ER
Exporting to over 100 countries
£757.4 million turnover
90 per cent of turnover generated outside the UK
Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc is a multi-national industrial engineering group, headquartered in Cheltenham and employing over 1,000 people in the region. The Group comprises two leading engineering businesses: Spirax Sarco for steam and electrical heating and temperature management solutions, and Watson-Marlow for niche peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies.
__________________________________________________
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 8PL
Exporting to 45 countries
£34 million turnover
99.9 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
TBS Engineering is the world leader in producing automatic machinery for the lead acid battery industry. Today, the company is one of the most experienced in its sector with over 170 employees working around the world.
__________________________________________________
38. Truturn Precision Engineering Ltd
Lightpill, Stroud, GL5 4QF
Exporting into seven countries including China, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark and Holland
£2.4 million turnover
45 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
A multi award-winning Sub Contract machinist performing CNC Turning, Milling, Sliding Head work, Fabrication, Welding and electro/mechanical Assembly. Materials machined are Super Duplex, Duplex, Inconel, Hastalloy, Stainless Steels, Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Plastics, Peak and many more.
__________________________________________________
Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2BY
Exporting to 63 countries
£24 million turnover
100 per cent turnover attributed to exporting
An Export Market Management company and the official export partner for many British brands including Cadbury Biscuits, L’Or, Cathedral City, Baxters, Ryvita, Whitworths and Typhoo.
__________________________________________________
Vogue Business Park, Berinsfield, OX10 7LN
Exporting to 30 countries
£18.5 million turnover
80 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Manufactures a range of water jet powered boats in the marine leisure sector. Its core business is in the manufacture of jet tenders where it has associations with most of the world’s leading large yacht builders who design and specify its products on their yachts.
__________________________________________________
Minster Lovell, Oxford, OX29 0TA
Exporting to 100 countries
£40 million turnover
50 per cent turnover attributed to exports
Europe’s leading independent manufacturer of ‘above the neck’ personal protective equipment (PPE), road safety products and height safety management and protection products.
__________________________________________________
Maisemore, Gloucestershire, GL2 8HR
Exporting to 20 countries
£1 million turnover
95 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Provides a range of laundry consultancy and climbing wall support services to specific sectors of the hospitality and leisure industry in Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and beyond.
__________________________________________________
43. Wentworth Wooden Jigsaw Company
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 ONX
Exports direct to consumers all over the world, key countries are the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe, particularly Germany and France
Turnover: not disclosed
50 per cent of turnover attributed to exports and is currently the fastest-growing part of the business
The company was founded in 1994 by Kevin Wentworth Preston who developed a method to manufacture wooden jigsaw puzzles using state-of-the-art laser technology. Today it designs and manufactures its own unique brand of wooden jigsaw puzzles from its factory on the outskirts of Malmesbury, using the same technology.
__________________________________________________
44. Corin Group
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1YJ
Exporting to Europe, the US, Australia, Far East and India
Turnover: £105m
Exports account for 85 per cent of the business
A global leader in orthopaedic innovation, Corin’s award-winning medical devices have helped thousands of people worldwide back to health thanks to bespoke hip and knee replacements. It has made several major European acqusitions and has recently signed a Joint Venture Agreement with a New Zealand commpany. Through its Academy, it trains surgeons around the world and exports to Europe, the US, Australia and the Far East and sits at number three in the global hip replacement
__________________________________________________
45. Mazak
Warndon, Worcester
Exporting to 30 European countries
Turnover: £315m
80% of all tools manufactured in Worcester are exported
At the forefront of advanced technology solutions including multi-tasking, five-axis, milling, turning, CNC controls and automation, Yamazaki Mazak launched into global markets in 1974. Today, it has five manufacturing plants in the UK, US, Singapore and China. Through this global network, Yamazaki Mazak supplies quality before and after-sales service and support, developing strong relationships with customers - including the Renault Sport and McLaren-Honda Formula One teams and big aerospace and energy players - all over the world.
__________________________________________________
46. Komatsu Mining Corp, previously Joy Global Ltd
St John’s, Worcester, WR2 5EG
Exports underground mining equipment to almost every major mine worldwide
Turnover: $2.37bn
Joy equipment is used in all areas of underground and surface mining for coal, salt, copper and iron. It was bought by Komatsu for $3.7bn in April 2017 and will continue to operate as a subsidiary. Last year, sales of services accounted for 78 per cent of revenues while sales of equipment, 22 per cent.
__________________________________________________
47. Huffkins Cotswold Bakery & Tearooms
Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4QF and Witney, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon
Active export markets include Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Canada and Australia and account for 5 per cent of its business.
Turnover £5 million
It is a family company with a renowned craft bakery and five tearooms in the Cotswolds. It supplies fine fruitcakes, shortbreads, branded textiles and luxurious hand baked products to leading department stores and fine food retailers around the world including Fortnum & Mason, the royal palaces and Selfridges.
__________________________________________________
Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0RR
Land Rover exports to 169 countries while Jaguar exports to 63
Turnover: £24.3bn
80 per cent of revenue comes from exports
Record sales of more than 600,000 vehicles in 2016 kept Jaguar Land Rover at the top of its game. Thanks to award-winning product innovation led by the Jaguar F-Pace, the all-new Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Velar, pre-tax profits rose by 3% to £1.6bn. It is the UK’s largest vehicle manufacturer and last year invested £1bn in a new manufacturing plant in Nitra, Slovakia. This year it will plough £4bn into expanding its model range and manufacturing footprint.
__________________________________________________
49. WMP Creative
Tubney, Abingdon, 0X13 5QJ
Exporting to four countries
£3.1 million turnover
24 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Exports creative services. Live events including Mass Participation Sports Events, film production, digital communications and exhibition design and build. Offering international support and services over the creative sector.
__________________________________________________
50. Oxford Products
Witney, Oxfordshire 0X29 0YA
Exporting to 60 countries
£31 million turnover
25 per cent of turnover attributed to exports
Makes a huge range of market-leading motorcycle and bicycle parts, clothing, helmets and accessories. These are designed and developed at the company’s 100,000 sq ft Oxfordshire facility.