Tees Valley business increases global presence with help from SSI Grant Funding

Tees Valley Combined Authority | Published on: 30th June 2016

Stockton based Vixen Surface Treatments aims to expand its international reach after receiving funding from the Small Grant Scheme.

Vixen Surface Treatments is a market leading specialist in the development and production of machinery used in component cleaning and is now attracting global interest from some world renowned organisations.

The Small Grant Scheme aims to support manufacturing and service sector companies based in the Tees Valley, helping them to grow their business and the local economy in response to the closure of SSI.

The company has identified opportunities to expand into a growing international market in Europe. Around 35 percent of the company’s new machinery sales are currently generated from international trade, largely in English-speaking countries.

In order to access other global markets, the company plans to further develop its international digital marketing strategy, and working with its partner Forrest Digital, a Tees Valley based digital consultancy. The company will also be using the grant to enhance the digital skills of the in-house team.

A pilot site trialled with a distributor in the USA and dedicated to the Aquablast wetblast range of machines has proven extremely successful, and Vixen Surface Treatments is looking to build similar relationships with distributors in mainland Europe.

Aidan Mallon, Managing Director, Vixen Surface Treatments, said: “The Small Grant Scheme has given Vixen an opportunity to grow our global markets and international interest in our products.

“Investment in our web presence and strategy is supporting development and the growth of Vixen on Teesside.

“The Small Grant Scheme is a valuable resource; I would highly recommend that other businesses explore the options open to them.”

Paul Booth, Chairman, Tees Valley Unlimited and Board member of Tees Valley Combined Authority, said: “Vixen Surface Treatments is one of a number of companies benefiting from the Small Grant Scheme, helping to grow business and employment opportunities in the region.

“There’s a lot of good news emerging from the Tees Valley; its people are resilient and there is vast opportunity for businesses to develop and grow by taking advantage of help available through the business support schemes.”

To find out more about the schemes available through the SSI Task Force, please click here or call 01642 93 93 86.

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