Heald named as one of the DIT’s Export Champions

Heald Ltd, the designer and manufacturer of hostile vehicle mitigation security products has been announced as one of the Department for International Trade’s Export Champions.

Export Champions have been selected by the Department for International Trade (DIT) for their approach to growing the UK economy through exporting and, as Export Champions, they will now encourage their peers in the Northern Powerhouse region to follow suit. DIT Export Champions will offer practical advice on how to turn export ambitions into a reality and guidance on how DIT can help businesses break into new markets.

Export accounts for 80% of the Hornsea firm’s revenue. In recent years, Heald has enjoyed significant success in international markets including the USA, Norway, Singapore, Australia and the Middle East. Heald’s innovative range of award-winning security bollards and blockers secure high profile locations such as Norway’s Avinor Airport, Beale Street Memphis, the French Quarter in New Orleans and a government facility in the USA.

The Export Champion community is part of DIT’s Exporting Strategy and is being introduced in response to a desire from businesses to receive peer-to-peer exporting support. As part of the programme, in 2020, there will be up to 150 Export Champions active across the North of England and Heald Ltd will be joining the community this year.

Bev Mullin, DIT’s Deputy Head of Region for the North West, said: “Our Export Champions all display excellence in global ambition and each is well-placed to help other local businesses explore their own exporting journey. It’s great to have Heald Ltd on board as a 2020 Export Champion as they are a shining example, exporting around 70% of their products around the globe.

“Businesses looking to enter new markets, or start exporting for the first time, should get in touch with their local DIT International Trade Adviser, where an introduction can be made to Heald or other Export Champions to find out how exporting could help them reach their full growth potential.”

Responding to Heald being named Export Champion, Heald Managing Director, Debbie Heald MBE said: “Export plays a significant part in our business success and I am therefore delighted that Heald has been recognised as one of the leaders in British export. We look forward to working with the DIT export community and sharing our export insights and advice with businesses looking to boost their export operations.”

Earlier this year, Heald announced the launch of its Bridge Bollard Protection System in response to recent terrorist attacks on high profile bridges including London Bridge. They are also the only company in the world to offer a sliding bollard solution, addressing the challenges faced by retrofitting security products into the built environment.