2023 Success stories

 Cardiff-based English language school, Celtic English Academy, has made a global name for itself since it first started teaching international students 20 years ago, with the company now providing its services to over 1,300 learners a year from more than 50 countries including Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain and Japan.

Rhug Estate, based in Corwen, is an award-winning sustainable farm which produces and sells organic meat, green energy and most recently, beauty products, after the company launched its own natural beauty line – Rhug Wild Beauty - in 2021 using ingredients from its vast estate.

Newtown based manufacturer, RM Group, designs and builds both manual and automated machinery used to process and package items for sectors including food and drink, construction, energy, utilities and general industry.The firm was founded over 20 years ago as a small packaging business, initially focused on animal feed.The company exports its products to more than 15 countries, including Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Iraq and the USA. Exports account for more than 20% of turnover, and this figure is climbing year on year, underlining the value of exporting to its continued growth.

Pontypool-based Frog Bikes, a market leading manufacturer of lightweight, affordable kids’ bikes, has developed an extensive international portfolio since the business was formed eight years ago, with its products being sold in over 50 countries across four continents, including the USA and Hong Kong.The firm has made a global name for its high quality products, which are designed and built at its factory to meet the specific needs and anatomy of children. UK based clients include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose son Prince Louis was seen riding one of its balance bikes in images released for the royal’s third birthday. 

Rhuallt based Fifth Wheel Company designs and builds luxury fifth wheel caravan tourers, often referred to as ‘penthouses on wheels’, which retail between £90-120k. The company, which exports to over six countries - Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, has set its sights on growing its global presence by expanding into more European countries, as well as targeting Canada as a new market.

Caerphilly-based, Atlantic Service Company, a leading manufacturer of equipment used in food processing plants and butchers’ shops, already boasts an extensive international order book with clients spanning across more than 50 countries worldwide.Exports account for around 80% of the firm’s trade with the company now looking to place a drive on exports in new territories as part of wider plans to grow the business.

In 2018 Presteigne based Mangar Health was acquired by French healthcare business the Winncare Group, a leading European manufacturer of beds, pressure care products, patient handling equipment, and hygiene solutions. 

Halton Wales (Flamgard Calidair), a Welsh manufacturing firm whose products have been used in flagship projects all over the world, is reaping the rewards of its export strategy with record breaking sales. Halton Wales is now projecting record-breaking turnover for 2024 and has its sights set on doubling this by 2030 by further growing its global client base.

 Heritage Welsh family firm Corgi, a world-renowned manufacturer of luxury socks and knitwear, has long had an export focus and boasts an army of loyal fans from all over the globe.Exports represent 60% of Corgi’s turnover and their core export markets include the US, China, Japan and Germany - the US being the largest. Corgi was introduced to its partners in China and Japan by the Welsh Government. 

South Wales high-tech manufacturer, Hexigone Inhibitors, is addressing a multi-trillion-pound global problem with its patented products. Following an initial discovery made at Swansea University, and after years of research and development, the company began its export journey in 2021.