Kilfrost - News/Media
EXPORT SUCCESS SECURES ANOTHER ACCOLADE
Archived on: Wednesday 1st December 2010
The global leaders in de/anti-icing have been declared North East England winners of the 2009 International Trade Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank Plc.
Kilfrost was selected for the prestigious accolade as a direct result of their export successes which now account for around 75 per cent of the company’s business and which have grown by 146% in the last three years.
Chairman of Judges, Ian Campbell OBE said: "So often, commentators and politicians write off UK manufacturing industry as old-fashioned and uncompetitive. In a company such as Kilfrost with excellent products, a respected global brand, a commitment to R&D which is helping to develop new, environmentally-friendly products, and a service ethic second to none, one sees the true greatness of UK industry which deserves recognition as amongst the best in the world."
Kilfrost’s products are manufactured in the UK, Europe, Far East and North America for sale in over 50 countries worldwide. Key to their successful development are long-standing relationships with key customers around the world, and a commitment to staying one step ahead of their competition with reinvestment in innovative new technologies. Chris Blaxall, Kilfrost's Chief Operating Officer, on receipt of the award, said:
"We're delighted to be recognised with this Award and it's testament to the hard work, drive and determination of our whole team. 2009 has been the best year in Kilfrost's entire 75 year history and this is due in no small part to our significantly increased export order book. We're proud to supply our safety-critical de-icing and anti-icing fluids to transport hubs across the globe."
"Our renowned R&D team has developed a pioneering new fluid which uses a bio-glycol derived from a sustainable source. This is a world first and has helped us support our clients in their own drive to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. We look forward to continuing to expand our global presence, particularly in the Americas and China, and to exploring new markets for our cutting-edge fluids such as heat transfer and ground de-icing" he added.
Allan Wilkinson, Area Commercial Director of HSBC who presented the award said: "Our winners this year have continued to strive forward with excellent and increased levels of exports to their clientele, whom themselves have suffered massively in the current down turn. To achieve this and to innovate their product range for the future, by accommodating environmental improvements, demands a clear sight of the market place and a practical application of their business strategy from a strong and very complimentary management team. Kilfrost is very well placed to face the current challenges and also to take advantage of the many opportunities that arise, and we are proud to present them with this award as a champion of the Region."
The International Trade Awards, sponsored by HSBC are the only UK awards to exclusively recognise the successes of those who trade overseas. North East Winners Kilfrost will now go forward to the UK final to be held at the House of Lords in March 2010 where 11 other finalists will join them to go head to head to win one of three national awards: The Small to Medium Sized Business Award, sponsored by Avanta; Excellence in Innovation and the Overall International Trade Company of the Year.
For over 75 years Kilfrost has led the global de-icing/anti-icing sector and is proud to work closely with customers in over 50 countries and five continents. With facilities in the UK, Europe, North America and Japan, Kilfrost is able to deliver its safety critical products to the Commercial Aviation, General Aviation, Rail, Functional Fluids and Ground De-icing sectors. Its world-renowned research and development facility continues to develop groundbreaking new products, and the company is continuing to invest heavily in the innovation of ever-more environmentally-friendly de-icing/anti-icing solutions.
For more information about Kilfrost please visit www.kilfrost.com, email usa.sales@kilfrost.com or call 1-877-U-KILFROST (877-854-5376).
-ENDS-
For further editorial information, please contact:
Francesca McFeely | 1-877-U-KILFROST | Francesca.McFeely@kilfrost.com
Felicity Owen | Zen Communications |+44 1691 610689 | felicity@zen-communications.co.uk
