The profile of a family-run canmaking support business is becoming better known among the industry’s most lucrative markets thanks to an international exports fund.
OEE Container Technology, based in Carlisle, provides a wide range of engineering and manufacturing services to the food and beverage can packaging industry, working with some of the world’s most famous brands.
In order to reach further global markets, the company, started by husband-and-wife team Bruce and Sue Jones in 2018, has been supported by the Government’s Department for International Trade which has allowed the team to plan visits to can manufacturing conferences and events across the world.
Supported by the Cumbria LEP, the Department for International Trade offers match funding up to £9,000 through its Internationalisation Fund to Cumbrian businesses wishing to export goods or reach international markets.
OEE applied for the fund and was approved within the space of a week, allowing the team to schedule marketing trips to three continents throughout 2022 with the money contributing towards travel, accommodation and event entry costs.
Bruce and Sue’s daughter Lauren, who is the firm’s marketing and operations manager, said: “Bruce is currently in Dubai at the prestigious GulfCan Conference which is known as one of the main shows for canmakers and industry suppliers across the world, and it is not something we would have been in a position to attend previously.
“But with the support from the Internationalisation Fund, we are reaching the exact markets we want to trade in, and we are giving ourselves a better chance of growing in the Middle East by learning about how the market works, what language and cultural barriers exist and getting our name and profile known.
“This month, Bruce will have interviews with three potential independent clients across the USA and the fund is allowing us to maximise growth opportunities as without it we would never have had this prospect – previously, we would likely go for a couple of days and only be able to fit one interview in.
“We will also use the fund to attend the biggest can show in the world, the AsiaCanTech in Thailand in October, so it’s really where everyone in the industry will head to.
“Asia isn’t really a market we can compete in at the minute but going to this show will give us a chance to enter that marketplace and learn what we need to do to get ourselves known and increase our expertise.
“OEE is doing really well in Europe but the markets in Asia, America and Middle East are ones we really want to further develop, so the Internationalisation Fund has opened doors to assist us on building our prominent reputation.”
The Internationalisation Fund from the Department for International Trade has revolutionised OEE’s global marketing campaign, and Lauren is recommending all Cumbrian businesses with export ambitions to take advantage of the free expert advice and financial support available.
She said: “The Department for International Trade is an incredible resource and if you have a question about any market or if you don’t understand something about a potential overseas customer you can always reach out to them. If they don’t know the answer themselves they will put you in touch with somebody who does.
“They have such a large global network and are so easy to deal with – and best of all, the expert support and advice they offer is free!”
