Opportunities to Export - Somerset Chamber of Commerce

GDP Growth Figures 2013Somerset businesses echo encouragingGDP growth figuresThings are looking up for businesses across Somersetand the rest of the country, as the latest GDP figuresshow the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the secondquarter of 2013. This doubles the previous quarter’srise of 0.3% and is an increase of 1.4% on this time lastyear, showing positive signs that the economic recoveryis gathering pace.The services sector continues to thrive, partly due to itsstrong export sales, growing at 0.6% compared with Q1and 2.1% year on year. Meanwhile, the manufacturingand construction industries are finally showing signs ofimprovement with increases of 0.4% and 0.9%respectively in Q1.The ONS official figures are good news for Somersetbusinesses, many of whom have noticed an upsurge inactivity this year.businesses. At a recent Bank of England breakfast,eight Somerset Chamber members were asked to sharetheir business experiences and perceptions with theBank of England. Those in residential and commercialproperty were particularly buoyant about the last threemonths, as were those in manufacturing, exporting andonline IT support. There are still challenges in the HighStreet, but these are more likely to be triggered bychanges in buying habits with increases in on-line sales,so overall things are certainly looking up.”As one of only five accredited Chambers in the SouthWest and 53 in the whole of the UK, the SomersetChamber works closely with the British Chambers ofCommerce to make sure Somerset businesses stay wellconnected at both a local and national level, and thatthe voices of the Somerset business community areheard at all levels of government.Numatic International, based in Chard andfamous for its Henry vacuum cleaner, is amajor Somerset employer working within themanufacturing industry. Senior executive,Andrew Smith, said, “Numatic is enjoyingrecord order intake and output, and that hasbeen the case since the beginning of 2013. Weare not alone – from speaking to variouscontacts in manufacturing, I would say that mostpeople are very busy.”Another Somerset company experiencingsignificant growth in recent months isTimbersource Ltd, based near Frome, which hasbeen supplying premium quality hardwoods andsoftwoods to customers in the UK and overseassince January 2001. Director Ashley Kemp says,“Timbersource has experienced a noticeableincrease in demand since January 2013, withexport orders increasing 100% in thattime. We’ve experienced particular interest fromthe Middle-East in our bespoke,semi-manufactured timber products and are nowrecruiting extra staff, meaning we are well placedto grow with the demand.”Rupert Cox, CEO of the Somerset Chamber, says,“Somerset companies have been telling us forsome time that they are seeing growth in theirContact the Chamber Call 01823 444924, email manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk or visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk18 Previous pageNext page