Export Champions 2024 announcement

St Leonards on Sea based electrical accessories manufacturer Focus SB’s Managing Director, Gary Stevens and Head of Strategic Partnerships, Duncan Ray have both accepted an invitation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to join the Export Champions’ programme, representing Southern England 2024/25 - East Sussex, United Kingdom, 2024-05-01

Recognised for a historic first in its industry in 2017 the company became the only British and European manufacturer to gain factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to mainland China, achieving a full licence for all of its products. Mr Stevens, Focus SB’s MD was then one of the first to be invited by the DBT to join the Export Champions’ programme which launched in 2019.

Mr Stevens commented: “Delighted to accept the invitation to continue the good work for the DBT as Export Champion and honoured to be one of a few select companies to have two representatives from the same company with Duncan Ray's acceptance as Export Champion this year.”

In April 2023 Focus SB notably won a first ever King’s Awards for Enterprise for International Trade with HRH The Princess Royal visiting the company’s metal component manufacturing and finishing production facilities in St Leonards on Sea and presenting the crystal engraved winner trophy to Mr Stevens, meeting employees and apprentices, and unveiling a commemorative plaque manufactured by the company in-house.

The DBT’s Export Champions’ programme highlights inspirational exporters who are willing to share their stories and support other SMEs aspiring to trade overseas. Mr Stevens attended and contributed to a Smarter Regulation Roundtable in Whitehall at the invitation of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Minister Lord Dominic Johnson with other selected SMEs in February, and then in March spoke at an event organised by East Sussex Lieutenancy with The King’s Awards for Enterprise team, followed by attending an invite-only event organised by the Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce, hosted by British Chambers’ of Commerce Director General, Shevaun Haviland with speaker the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds. Mr Stevens has recently been invited to speak at a virtual DBT King’s Awards event in June.

Also actively attending events, last May saw Mr Duncan Ray speak at a Federation of Small Businesses International Trade Conference, hosted by the local Hastings and Rye Conservative MP Mrs Sally-Ann Hart, who first visited the Focus SB factory in August 2021. Last June the company exhibited at the 10th anniversary of the influential Design Shanghai event featuring over 600 brands. In July, Mr Ray attended a SussExport event at Wilton Park, an event showcasing the Sussex export business growth story with workshops hosted by the Department for Business and Trade and has several speaking engagements in 2024. View 2023 Export Champion news.

Focus SB is an experienced exporter to the Middle East, Africa and Asia and has a dedicated commercial manager based in the UK for all global enquiries.

Visit https://www.great.gov.uk/ to learn more about exporting and growing your business.

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Editors notes

Focus SB® is an award winning innovative British manufacturer renowned for the design, development and specialist hand finishing of premium electrical wiring accessories, blending traditional artisan techniques with the latest technology; specified for world class hospitality and leisure resorts, prime residential developments, heritage buildings, royal residences, superyachts and commercial projects both domestically and internationally.

The King's Awards for Enterprise winner for excellence in International Trade in 2023, Focus SB made history in its industry in 2017 when the company became the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to China, also gaining full CCC licence for all of its products for the Chinese marketplace.

The company’s specialist capabilities include electrical accessory design, development and testing; bespoke metal plate design and manufacture; specialist metal finishing and complex supply chain project management. Focus SB commenced trading in 1979 and exports to Asia, the Middle East, Malta and West Africa. Projects include Aspen at Consort Place, Twenty Grosvenor Square, Belmond Cadogan Hotel, Corinthia London, Royal Lancaster London, Chelsea Barracks, No.1 Grosvenor Square, The Glebe, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, The Londoner Macao and Pudong Airport Satellite Terminal VIP lounges.

Focus SB is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business from operational to manufacturing processes. The company's green energy investment plans have included solar panel, LED lighting and electric car charging points installation. Laser marking technology enables Focus SB to offer a standard alternative to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally damaging consumables and reduce waste.

Focus SB is a Disability Confident Employer since 2017 and is committed to creating equal opportunities and a diverse and inclusive workforce, seeing the company work closely with local charity Little Gate Supported Employment for over four years.

UK press contact: Suzi Baker, Balance Web Marketing +PR suzi@balancewebmarketing.co.uk