A roaring success in the Lion City

An award-winning Ribble Valley business with customers in more than 50 countries expanded into Asia thanks to a strong relationship with a partner in Singapore.

The opportunity arose after Hurst Green Plastics was approached by United Aviation, a Singapore-based stockist for fasteners, lighting products, consumables and toolings for the aerospace markets.

Sophia Dunand-Clarke, marketing manager at the Whalley-based SME, said: “United Aviation sells Aerospace fasteners and we sell the storage system that dispenses them. In 2012, 2014 and 2016, we attended the Singapore Airshow as their guests on their booth with our products.”

After the airshow the relationship really took off and now United Aviation sells for Hurst Green Plastic in Singapore – known as the Lion City - and across Asia.

Sophia said: “We have been dealing with Singapore for the last five years and have seen an increase in orders. Hurst Green Plastics now have product in large companies such as UTC, Safran, Hamilton Sundstrand, ST Kinetics and Thales.

“Singapore is a rapidly growing market and is well connected, which has led to other opportunities arising in neighbouring countries as a result of our partnership.”

Hurst Green Plastics patented the ‘TwinBin’ storage and dispensing solution, a product which enables efficient inventory control and stock rotation.

The company boasts a number of high-profile clients, particularly in the aerospace industry, such as BAE Systems, Airbus, the RAF, as well as the NHS, NASA and Jaguar Land Rover – which also depend on accurate stock control systems.

In 2012, the company received the Queen’s Award for Innovation, which helped to raise its profile and reputation not only in the UK, but across the globe. It has been a major plus in export campaigns.

Sophia said: “We are proud to say we sell our products to over 50 countries including America, Australia, India, and across Europe.

“The majority of our customers are in the aerospace industry, but we are moving into more diverse markets. Our products work for so many different industries.”

A fuller version of this story is featured in the International Trade section in the current edition of Lancashire Business View