Leyland boss tours Singapore and Malaysia with prime minister

Thanks to buoyant exporting success for a Leyland-based firm, a local businessman is currently on a VIP trip to Singapore and Malaysia alongside prime minister David Cameron and some of the UK’s most high profile ministers.

Graham James OBE, director of Flexcrete Technologies, which is the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of technical mortars and high performance coatings for the construction industry, is currently on the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The group is being led by Sajid Javid, secretary of state for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Lord Maude of Horsham, minister of state for Trade and Investment is also present, as well as Anna Soubry, minister of state for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise.

Flexcrete Technologies has been exporting the company’s products for some 30 years and enjoys a thriving export business with international agents and distributors in 65 countries worldwide and export sales accounting for some 50 per cent of its revenues.

The Trade Mission has been organised by UKTI for Northern companies to gain insights into two of South East Asia’s most vibrant markets, Singapore and Malaysia. It is concurrent with a mission being led by prime minister David Cameron to South East Asia. Sajid Javid’s party and David Cameron’s party have had the opportunity to meet up at receptions and events organised by the British High Commission.

Graham James said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to build contacts with new and existing distributors in South East Asia, as economic growth and development is expected to exceed the global average for the foreseeable future. Before the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission started, I travelled to Taiwan and Hong Kong first, both markets which we have been trading in for many years, and after the Trade Mission I am travelling to Brunei. Exports to Greater China already represent a considerable and fast-growing proportion of total sales with notable successes in high value infrastructure and the utilities sector. “We have been exporting for some 30 years now and we’re pleased to say that our export business is very strong. Taking South Asia as an example, our coatings have been used at Hong Kong International Airport and a recent project has seen the use of Flexcrete products to help improve the water supply system in Brunei. A range of products were specified for use at Brunei’s Bukit Barun Water Treatment Works for repair and waterproofing purposes."