I am always amazed at the wide geographical spread of our customers. With the age of internet where our details can be found 24/7, together with our superior and swift customer service, means that no matter where in the world they are situated, we are able to supply products either ex-stock or customised solutions.
I am also proud to be a UK manufacturer – sometimes I think there’s not      many of us left. However, I was recently surprised to learn that the UK is the world’s sixth largest exporter of goods and services. (source: British Chambers of Commerce website).
However, we do find dealing with some countries more challenging than others and I often wonder what it is that stops people from not buying the best solution for the best price, even though it is from a different country.
Some countries we find won’t buy from us because our website is in English. Well, okay if they don’t understand what we say, but bearing in mind most engineers are concerned with the specifications, then surely it’s just a matter of looking at the numbers? I don’t want to appear to be flippant, but we get orders via the internet from many countries in the Far East and Eastern Europe – why not Europe?
And then there’s the customs documentation and parcels “getting stuck†in local offices and depots. There is nothing more frustrating than rushing through an urgent order, despatching it on time, with the correct paper work and then finding out it is held up by bureaucracy.
I’m thinking of compiling a list of pitfalls in exporting industrial products. Would it be useful? Maybe we could do it together.
I can offer £10 iTunes voucher for the craziest export story from a UK manufacturer. Closing date is December 31st 2010
