Companies exhibiting abroad generate huge returns for the UK

Research facilitated by the British Plastics Federation shows the average predicted value of business won as a result of exhibiting at K 2016 was £316,000. The Department for International Trade (DIT) supported 30 UK exhibitors at K 2016 through grants to help with the cost of exhibiting — and the data suggests this is a fine use of funds, with every £1 invested in supporting exhibitors generating an average return of £210 to the UK economy.

UK plastics companies should note the huge potential returns from exhibiting abroad, despite the initial expense involved. Similarly, the government should note that assisting companies with the expense of exhibiting at foreign exhibitions can generate a healthy return for the wider UK economy.

One exhibitor at K 2016, Astropol Managing Director Chris Wright, speaks positively about his experience courting new business leads:

Astropol has always been represented at the K show as a visitor, but as yet another positive investment in our future, last year the decision was taken to attend K2016 as part of the British Pavilion. Having a footprint this year provided a platform to engage with existing export customers and the level of new enquiries has been really encouraging.
 

Billion UK Managing Director Pete Kirkham also reports a high level of interest:
 

K2016 has been a great success for Billion UK. Our message of 'doing more'  within the injection moulding process attracted a great deal of interest from UK visitors,  many who commented upon our application focus at the show. A number of orders for both machines and automation were secured during the show period, together with high level enquiries from new potential customers.

Echoing this positivity, BPF Director General Philip Law states:

These figures demonstrate the undeniable value of exhibiting with the BPF at international trade fairs. Equally the government's new Department for International Trade should register the the full value accruing to the UK of the the relatively modest outlay in grants to UK plastics firms exhibiting. Our recommendation to Liam Fox, when disbursing the doubled Export Finance budget announced in the Autumn Statement, is not to forget the winning of export business in the first place, often on the floors of trade fairs in Dusseldorf.