Export Boost Helps Hartlepool Bio-Med Firm Secure 50 Global Leads To Bolster Expansion

A growing Hartlepool firm at the cutting edge of bio-medical science has opened international links and potential new markets with the help of an export programme.

Hart Biologicals, based at Queens Meadow, has secured 50 new sales leads and employed one new member of staff on the back of support it’s received from the Tees Valley Export Fund.

Founded by the late Alby Pattison MBE, the firm has been a leading UK manufacturer and global supplier of high-quality reagents for haemostasis and platelet function analysis for more than two decades.

On the back of creating a new device, the company was looking to new markets – and that’s where the Export Fund made all the difference.

Managing Director Alexander Ebinger explained: “We started to export several years ago, but the previous business was very much on a business-to-business basis, where we were contract manufacturing reagents for large companies based in Europe, or in the US.

“Now, with the new project and the device, we want to sell directly to hospitals, and directly to end users to capture that whole market.

“This means we need more contact in foreign countries through more congress attendances – just to try and get direct contact with more doctors, instead of just other businesses.

“The export fund has really helped with that.”

The programme’s ultimate aim is to boost the number of our region’s firms involved in exporting and increase both the range and value of exports from companies already trading internationally.

It provides grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 to help Tees Valley businesses start or expand their export activities.

This can cover attending overseas trade fairs to commissioning market research, adapting websites for new markets, or securing passes and licences to trade abroad.

Hart Biologicals has been awarded £30,000 of grant support through the fund which has already made the difference in expanding the firm’s reach.

Alexander added: “We used the funding recently to attend GTH, which is the German Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society, and its congress there.

“There are important people there from University Hospitals but also doctors and other customers.

“It’s been great to get there – we got roughly 50 new sales leads out of the recent attendance.”

The programme – funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) – offers financial support to businesses that are either starting out on their export journey or looking to grow or diversify their current export activities.

Grant between £3,000 and £10,000 are still available for eligible firms, with a 25% match funding requirement.

In the meantime, Hart Biologicals is expanding its premises at Queen’s Meadow and building first floor units.

Alexander added: “We would recommend the fund.

“Our financial controller, Maria, did a lot of the work to set it up, but it was quick to secure the backing at relatively short notice given the congress we were trying to attend.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s fantastic to see an innovative Teesside company in Hart Biologicals taking its expertise to the global stage and winning new business.

“This is exactly what our Export Fund is here to do – help local firms break into international markets, create jobs and bring more money into our region.

“It’s great to see Hart Bio grow and I want more of our brilliant firms to do the same.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, TVCA Cabinet Member for Inward Investment and Finance, added: “Boosting exports is a key part of our economy and making sure Tees Valley businesses can both compete and succeed internationally.

“This support gives our firms help to secure the connections they need to reach new customers around the world.

“I’d encourage any business thinking about exporting – or looking to expand what they already do – to get in touch and make the most of this opportunity.”

There is still around £190,000 left in the Export Fund with grants available on a first-come-first served basis. To find out more, go to: Tees Valley Export Fund – Business