EDM celebrates at the China Business Awards 2013

27 February 2013

EDM is celebrating after being announced as the Runner up at the China Business Award for the North West. The award was announced at the Lowry Theatre on Friday, 22nd February.

EDM is a specialist engineering business providing training and simulation equipment to civil aviation, defence and rail customers.

The company supplies several Chinese airlines with training equipment, as well as providing equipment for the Civil Aviation Administration of China. From 2008 to 2013 EDM’s exports to China have continued to grow, from less than 2% to 46% of overall export turnover, with an overall value over £12.5 million.

EDM’s approach is based on forming partnerships with companies which share the same product portfolio and are based in the same market sector.

Despite the dip in the aviation sector worldwide, growth in China has increased and has necessitated a big recruitment program for cabin crew, all of whom require training, providing an ideal opportunity for EDM.

EDM has made local after sales support a top priority for 2013 with the possible establishment of an EDM support office in mainland China or Hong Kong.

The ACAE engine mock up, manufactured by EDM, was a big success at the prestigious 2012 Zhuhai Airshow and a recent trip to Shanghai and a subsequent meeting with ACAE may result in a further mock up requirement in 2013 plus other potential packages of precision engineering work.

Importantly EDM has secured a contract with Garuda Airlines in Indonesia and a significant part of this contract will be sub-contracted by EDM to its Chinese partner.

Philomena Chen, Head of Asia Pacific Development for UK Trade & Investment, North West said:

“There was an outstanding level of entries for this year’s Greater China Awards, and the winners are the companies who have showed the most evidence of a commitment to the market and who have successfully expanded their business in mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.

“Our winner HVPD Ltd has demonstrated a very clear strategic approach to the market, with consistent year on year growth and a coherent vision of where future growth may be found.

“Runner up EDM Ltd has also had an impressive and sustainable year, building on its existing successful partnering arrangement to further develop its reach in the market.”

Clive Drinkwater, Director – North West for UK Trade & Investment said:

“China remains a vitally important market for the region. North West exports to China were nearly £1.2 billion in the first three quarters of 2012 – over 11% up on the same period in 2011 and higher than the whole year’s exports in 2010.

“This means that we are on target to beat the current record of £1.5 billion in 2011, and if we add in the figures for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan it is likely that we will break the £2 billion mark for exports to Greater China for the first time ever.

“We are extremely proud of our success in China as a region – the North West is one of only two regions (the other being West Midlands) to have China as one of its top 5 export markets – and it is companies such as those honoured here today at the awards that have helped us achieve such success.”

The winners were announced at the Greater China Awards and Chinese New Year Dinner on Friday 22nd February at the Lowry Theatre in Salford. The awards were presented by Chinese Consul General Pan Yundong and Ana Gibson from Finnair, who were supporting the awards for the 6th year.

The awards dinner also celebrated the Year of the Snake – often seen as a year beneficial for business as people born in a snake year are known for financial success, good judgement in monetary affairs and an intuition for business negotiations.