Hertfordshire-based leaf chain manufacturer, FB Chain Ltd, has announced a significant increase in its export business.
Overseas orders now account for some 40 per cent of FB's annual turnover with demand for the company's extensive range of chain products particularly strong from manufacturers and users of forklift trucks and conveyor systems in Malaysia and the USA.
As recently as 2008 exports accounted for less than 20 per cent of FB Chain Ltd's turnover.
FB's success comes at a time when many UK-based manufacturers are complaining that the strength of the pound is not conducive to export success.
The company's managing director, Peter Church, who has been instrumental in driving the export initiative, commented: "The strength of the pound does not make life any easier for UK-based companies looking to develop overseas markets - particularly the Euro bloc, but we are operating globally and we have worked hard to rationalise our supply chain to ensure that we are competitive across a range of territories. We are reaping the benefits of this approach."
He added: "The Chancellor, George Osborne, has pinned his hopes on an export-led recovery and we feel that we are playing our part."
Although perhaps best known for the leaf chain that it supplies to the materials handling sector for use with forklift trucks and conveyors, FB Chain offers an extensive range of chain and transmission products that are used across a wide variety of industries.
As part of its ongoing commitment to achieve greater costs efficiencies within its manufacturing process, FB has recently invested nearly £300,000 in new production machinery at its Letchworth plant.