THE inaugural UKTI (UK Trade and Investment) Export Award at BETA International went to joint winners Dodson and Horrell and Airowear.

Dodson and Horrell Technical Director Chris Gordon said: "We are thrilled to receive the award. The company has put a lot of time and investment into the export market and it can be precarious with the exchange rates and amount of paper work that is involved.

"We are thrilled to receive the award. The company has put a lot of time and investment into the export market and it can be precarious with the exchange rates and amount of paper work that is involved.

"Export is an increasingly important part of the business and another opportunity to reach new markets. The trading barriers with Europe are gradually becoming easier to deal with."

Lucy Carr-Seaman of Airowear said: "We are absolutely delighted that the work the team has put in to building the export side of the business has been acknowledged."

Sponsored by UK Trade and Investment the awards were aimed at recognising companies that have made huge strides in developing the export side of their business.

Richard Parry of UKTI said: "We were delighted to sponsor the awards, we strongly believe exporting makes companies better and both Airowear and Dodson and Horrell are living proof of that.

"It is something of a cliché, but the competition for this inaugural award was fierce, and choosing a winner hugely difficult.

"In the end it came down to two companies from opposite ends of the spectrum. One was Airowear, a small company which showed tremendous market awareness, thoroughness of preparation and an appreciation of the sources of help available to them.

"The other was Dodson and Horrell, a company which has shown an exemplary approach to the world of exporting. Their success has come from imaginative market research, a willingness to adapt products for markets and investing in their peoples' skills and talents."

BETA Chief Executive and Secretary Claire Williams said: "The UKTI Export Awards have highlighted the big step forward the industry has made in the export market."

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