Newtown based manufacturer, CellPath, specialises in the manufacture and supply of equipment and services used in cancer diagnostics.
The company exports its products to more than 40 countries across Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar and Iraq.
Over the last five years, the company has placed a drive on international sales and has seen its exports double during that time to account for around a third of group turnover today.
Export ambitions
It has now set its sights on doubling its export turnover in the Middle East and South Asia over the next two years. The regions are key target markets thanks to their rapidly growing medical sectors as government investments in the healthcare system and increasing levels of medical tourism to the area drive growth in the industry.
To achieve this, the company plans to expand its international distribution links and enter new territories including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Pakistan.
CellPath has boasted an international outlook since it was first established in 1990, when it secured some of its first overseas clients after attending the world’s biggest medical trade show held in Dusseldorf.
Trade shows have remained a key part of its export strategy ever since and will support its expansion in the Middle East and South Asia. Earlier this year, the firm returned from the MEDLAB exhibition in Dubai where it met with potential new distribution partners in Pakistan and strengthened its relationship with an existing distributor in the wider region.
Investment in Wales
Following increased demand for its products overseas, CellPath has invested over £2m in a new international distribution warehouse and machinery at its Welsh headquarters, as well as six additional staff across its export and regulatory teams.
CellPath’s export success has been assisted by the Welsh Government which has helped it to attend trade missions and visit new regions as well as conduct research into target markets to determine the appetite for its products.
Simon Owen, Head of Exports at CellPath, said: “We are continually looking for ways to grow the business and placing a drive on international sales will be a key component to achieving this.
“We are already a market leader in the UK but our goal is to become a market leader globally. The Middle East has a growing life sciences market, with lots of investments currently being made to the medical sector in the region, opening up opportunities for us.
Simon maintains that attending trade shows and conducting market visits are essential for the business as they allow clients to see the quality of their products in person while reinforcing CellPath’s credibility and enabling it to establish and maintain relationships with partners.
Simon added: “We have been extremely lucky to receive plenty of support from the Welsh Government over the years to attend trade shows, research target markets, and identify potential new clients and suppliers that they have connected us with. This support has enabled us to secure a range of new business, helping us with our growth trajectory.”