UKTI partners new manufacturing initiative to boost trade with Brazil

A NEW initiative to boost overseas trade between the UK and Brazil is being established in Warwickshire.

The Brazil Business Hub, based at the Gauge and Tool Makers Association’s Manufacturing Resource Centre in Alcester, is intended to be a one stop shop for engineering and manufacturing sector companies looking to do business in Brazil.
 
The project is a partnership initiative between UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the GTMA – which represents engineering and manufacturing supply chain companies, and Commercial Doctor – a specialist consultancy with extensive experience in helping companies break into the Brazilian market.
 
As well as putting firms in touch with relevant commercial services, the new hub will also provide a gateway to UKTI’s services including the Passport to Export programme for new exporters, Gateway to Global Growth, for more experienced exporters and the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), which puts firms in contact with key contacts overseas.  

Paul Noon, UKTI Regional Director for the West Midlands, said: “Brazil is now one of the major opportunities alongside China, India and the USA, for companies looking to expand into world markets. However, Brazil is not a place to make a quick sale.

“Doing business in Brazil takes time, understanding and perseverance. Just as with any new market, firms need to do their homework and minimise risk by seeking the help of experts such as at the Brazil Business Hub and UKTI who will help firms learn how to make the most of Brazil’s warm welcome to foreign businesses.”

Philip Gray, managing director, Commercial Doctor said the location of the hub had been deliberately chosen to lie at the heart of the UK’s engineering and manufacturing supply chain.  

“The increasing dependence on engineering solutions for Brazil’s continued development provides an excellent opportunity for UK companies, which enjoy a world class reputation for sophistication, quality, safety and value,” he said.

Several major UK engineering businesses are already present in Brazil including JCB, IMI, BAE Systems, Babcock, Rolls Royce as well as Jaguar Land Rover which is currently setting up a manufacturing plant in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The hub will also assist companies in Brazil looking to engage with industrial partners and technology sources in the UK.

One company to have benefited from UKTI’s help getting a foothold in Brazil is Cheddleton-based Tractive Power, which specialises in battery powered electric vehicles designed to push, pull and manoeuvre loads of up to 50 tonnes.

The company has recently won an order from aircraft manufacturer Embraer worth £8,000.

Tractive Power first starting exporting in 2009 when the firm sold units to Australia. Since then, the company’s exporting activity has grown to the point where it trades with 10 other countries, including Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, and most recently, Brazil.

Brendan Ratcliffe, Commercial Director, Tractive Power, said: “We decided to approach Brazil as it’s been an expanding market for years now, and has attracted major international manufacturers.
 
“In October last year, we supplied our first unit to Embraer. Our unit has reduced the manual handling of the wings at the firm’s production facility to improve safety, as well as speeding up and streamlining the manufacturing process.

“The initial order was for £8,000 but we are hopeful it will open doors within other areas of the company and we’re now tendering for additional opportunities.”