East Lancashire businesses celebrate international trade success

By Lancashire Business View

14 Dec 2016

An East Lancashire business that exports textiles around the world has won a prestigious international trade award.

Vision Support Services, which supplies goods to customers in 84 countries, won the Outstanding Exporter Achievement Award at the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce International Trade Club Annual Awards, sponsored by Cassons.

The firm, which is based on Walker Park in Blackburn, was only formed in 2005 but has since become a world leader in textile supply and distribution, white label product sourcing and specialist interior design services.

The company’s export sales have increased by more than 50% each year since it started trading internationally and it now supplies half of the world’s ten biggest hotel chains

Managing director Laurie Thomas said: “We’re proud to be flying the flag for East Lancashire on the international stage.

“Vision Support Services was founded 11 years ago when we united a number of heritage-rich textile mills that could offer a unique and intuitive product.

“Since then, by working with our three leading product brands we’ve become a global textile business working with accommodation providers, retailers, laundries, public bodies and healthcare markets.

“We work across five continents, speak over 20 languages and cover five trading jurisdictions.”

EP International Limited, a Burnley-based company that supplies Bitumen and Bitumen emulsions for road construction projects throughout the African continent, was highly commended in the Outstanding Exporter category.

Director Helen Holmyard said: “The majority of our business was in West Africa but the Ebola crisis led to some projects being shelved so we’ve have had to target new markets, such as North Africa and South America, to maintain growth.

The Outstanding Importer Achievement Award went to Whalley-based Steven Hargreaves Textile Group Limited, which specialises in the supply of 100% cotton mattress ticking fabric.

Director Steven Hargreaves said: "I owe a huge debt of thanks to my grandad who introduced me to chess and draughts when I was growing up.

“That’s where I learnt about strategy and it has served me well in the business world.”

Ashburn Stoves Limited were highly commended in the Outstanding Importer category.

Despite losing three months’ trading due to the devastating floods earlier this year, the Earby-based business has continued to forge ahead, doubling the size of its supply chain to cater for a range of customers including renewable energy installers, architects and developers.

The Newcomer to International Trade award was won by CWV Wallcoverings Limited.

The Blackburn-based company only began exporting in June but has already achieved sales in Israel, France, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, with additional orders pending for Jordan, Egypt, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Cyprus and South Africa.

Each winner was presented with an engraved glass trophy from Les Nutter, managing partner at event sponsors Cassons, who congratulated all the winners.

Speaking of the winners’ success, Les said: "East Lancashire has lots of brilliant businesses that are thriving in challenging overseas markets, and the International Trade Club Awards are a celebration of their achievements.

“It really is fantastic to see such a diverse range of companies succeeding in so many countries across the globe, and long may that continue.”

Mandy Lockett, international business director at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, thanked all of the entrants and looked forward to a prosperous 2017. “It’s going to be a wonderful year for the International Trade Club next year as we celebrate our 60th Diamond Anniversary. It’s also the Chamber’s 130th anniversary year so you can see we really are embedded into the trading fabric of the area.”

Latest news

1

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

2

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

3

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

4

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

5

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report Fazal Dad

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April
Chamber logo - new-02.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

08:00 - 10:00

WHN Charity Quiz Night
Evenbrite Quiz 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

WHN Charity Quiz Night

The Stables Country Club, Bury , BL9 1PU

18:00 - 22:00

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin