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100 TOP EXPORTERS
The United Kingdom is the 10th largest exporting economy in the world. Figures released last September showed that exports of goods grew by just over one per cent, boosted by shipments of machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, food and drink. Exports of services also grew.
Here we look at some of the most exciting and entrepreneurial exporting companies across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley. It’s not a top exporters list, but a list of 100 ambitious exporting companies which are actively pursuing world markets.
In September 2019, UK exports rose to more than £634 billion, up 2.7 per cent from the previous year, of which goods made up more than £350 billion and services £283 million according to government statistics.
And more UK companies are exporting. The government has reported a rise of more than six per cent, to 235,800 companies now trading overseas, but that’s still less than 10 per cent of UK companies overall. More businesses need to be brave and take the exporting plunge.
The automotive industry is leading the charge, being one of the UK’s most important export sectors. In 2017 more than £33 billion cars were exported.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says that every day more than 1,100 trucks for UK car plants cross into the UK from the continent – the vast majority without being checked at customs – to deliver some £35 million worth of components to UK vehicle and engine plants. And every day, these components help build 6,400 cars and 10,500 engines – the bulk of which are then shipped back to EU customers and assembly plants.
The medicinal and pharmaceutical product sector is the UK’s second largest exporter, with more than £24 million of exports in 2017.
Whatever Brexit deal the UK secures, or not, what businesses across the UK want more than anything is for the doors in and out of the UK to remain open.
