Halesowen-based Erodex UK Limited, supplier of EDM graphite and tooling to the aerospace market, has made it onto Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100 for the first time.
The company came in at number 86 in the fifth annual Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100, a league table which ranks Britain’s private SMEs with the fastest-growing international sales.
Expansion into Mexico and the US, where it has recently established facilities in Virginia, as well as significant contract wins in China and Israel helped overseas sales hit £3.7million in 2018. The company has seen overall overseas sales grow 42% year on year and now exports to six continents: North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa in addition to Europe.
Erodex is a West Midlands family business, founded in 1974, ran by brothers Ian and Steve Rolinson, 51 and 56 respectively, and their cousin John, 48. The company designs and supplies carbon and graphite parts for applications such as turbine blades in the aerospace sector. International clients include leading aerospace engine manufacturers and blue chip companies throughout the supply chain.
Steve Rolinson, director at Erodex UK, said: “We are very proud to be recognised in such a prestigious list of companies, which is testament to the success we have had in penetrating certain global markets.
“We have recently announced record levels of turnover, reaching £20million for the first time, which is underpinned by strong export growth. Strategically, we decided to establish a base in Virginia USA which has since led to us winning significant new contracts in The United States & Mexico. As a result of continuing high levels of demand for our graphite products and tooling solutions overseas, we are looking to continue growing export sales and exploring new markets across the six continents that we now cover. We are well prepared for this, with a dedicated Export Team headed by Laura Collins”.
Erodex UK representatives will be invited to attend a celebratory awards dinner in September at The London Hilton Bankside. The SME Export Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm. Fast Track has published league tables of the UK’s top-performing private companies with The Sunday Times for the past 22 years.
Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, said: “SMEs are fundamental to achieving our target of increasing exports as a percentage of GDP to 35 per cent, so it is vital we give them the recognition they deserve. The exporters listed are pioneers whose example should be followed by ambitious businesses across the UK”.
