Rhodes enjoys export success thanks to the support of UKTI

The increase in sales, announced by UK Trade & Investment Yorkshire and Humber, was for the year to March 2011.

The Wakefield-based company’s latest overseas success includes the signing of an aerospace deal worth £1.85m in China and a £1.7m order for the Indian aluminium processing industry.

Group Rhodes, which has a £20m turnover, is one of Europe’s largest original equipment manufacturers in its field, making machinery for a range of sectors, including oil and gas, heavy ceramics and aerospace. During the year, staff levels increased by 30 to 220.

Group Rhodes is one of more than 1,450 companies working with UK Trade & Investment Yorkshire and Humber.

The company’s managing director Mark Ridgway said: “We started to visit China in 2004, with support from UKTI. As an SME, working with UKTI educates you in international trends in given market sectors and they helped us to develop and review our market strategy, appoint agents and understand the way that government support is structured.

“There is no doubt that this support has been crucial in helping us secure $US10 in orders in China since 2005.”

The US and Germany remain the region’s biggest overseas markets, with France and Ireland accounting for a substantial share of export earnings. China continues to be a growth market.

Philip Kelly, head of international trade at UKTI Y&H, said: “There is huge potential for Yorkshire companies in a wide range of sectors to take advantage of the growth in both emerging and traditional economies.”