Focus SB’s Managing Director Gary Stevens is appointed Export Champion

Focus SB’s managing director Gary Stevens is appointed Export Champion as part of the Department for International Trade's (DIT) Export Champions programme for 2022/23 - East Sussex, United Kingdom, 2022-10-28

In 2020, Mr Stevens was thrilled to accept an invitation from the Department for International Trade (DIT) to become an Export Champion for the South East UK, in recognition of Focus SB’s achievement at becoming the first and only British (and European) premium electrical wiring accessories manufacturer licensed to export and sell to mainland China’s luxury hospitality and residential construction markets in 2017.

This year Mr Stevens accepted an invitation for the role to be extended for a 2nd year in light of the pandemic, saying: “I am delighted to accept the Export Champion role in recognition of the contribution Focus SB makes towards the South East’s economic growth.

“It’s a great honour for us to be part of the programme and I intend to contribute as much as I can to share our positive export story and experiences trading with China. I am more than happy to do my bit to encourage and support those businesses still exploring export opportunities. We launched a unique collection in collaboration with celebrity designer Kelly Hoppen at Design Shanghai in November 2020 as well as showcasing an exciting partnership with Lutron to finish its bespoke Palladiom keypads, and we now have seven showrooms and 10 sub distributors out there, with more planned, and business has really taken off.

He concludes: “Focus SB still holds the unique position of being the only UK manufacturer licensed to export its sockets and switches to China, via our established main distributor Kursel Ltd and sub distributor network, and continues to boast the widest range of plates and finishes conforming to the China Compulsory Certificate (CCC mark), outstripping all other electrical wiring accessory manufacturers based in China! In the second year of launch, our Chinese distributor became our highest turnover account (UK and overseas) with China now 92% of our total overseas sales. It’s great to be recognised by the DIT as one of the ‘one in ten’ British firms currently selling overseas, supported by the former Prime Minister Liz Truss when she was international trade secretary in her comment to the Daily Mail!”

The DIT’s Export Champion programme, launched in 2019, aims to highlight exporters who are willing to share their stories and support other SMEs planning to trade overseas. Export Champions are invited to share tips and informal advice with other businesses, attend DIT export events, host VIP visits and contribute to the development of DIT strategies as well as participate in roundtable discussions with senior officials and government ministers.

South East Regional Director, Ben Raby offered Gary Stevens congratulations on behalf of the DIT in 2020: “A huge congratulations to Gary Stevens from Focus SB for becoming one of our highly valued South East Export Champions. “Focus SB is a company that manufactures electrical wiring accessories and has extensive experience in trading overseas, including having the unique position of being the only UK manufacturer licensed to export its sockets and switches to China. This experience makes the company a perfect fit for the Export Champion programme.

"DIT’s Export Champion programme aims to highlight inspirational exporters who are willing to share their stories and support for other SMEs aspiring to trade overseas. With export playing a significant role in supporting our economy, especially as we begin to address the economic challenge posed by coronavirus, Gary Stevens and the wider Focus SB company will be a fount of knowledge for budding exporters”.

On Tuesday 26th January 2021 Gary Stevens was invited to speak at an exporting event being hosted by Haven Gateway Partnership and the I-Construct network. Experienced in building successful overseas relationships and complex supply chain project management, Mr Stevens was pleased to be invited to share Focus SB’s experiences with other businesses looking to trade internationally.

Other speakers at the online event include Marcus Deeley, Sector Manager at the Department for International Trade (DIT) whose role is to help UK Construction Sector companies to win business in international markets and support international companies invest in the UK construction Sector, and Robert Edge, Business Development Manager at Haven Gateway Partnership.

This year, hosted by Focus SB’s Head of Strategic Partnerships Duncan Ray, Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China Tom Duke, Department for International Trade (DIT) enjoyed a private tour of our head office and factory on the outskirts of Hastings, facilitated by Made in Britain.

Following the tour, Mr Duke said: “DIT supports UK exporters like Focus SB in China to overcome market access barriers, navigate a complex regulatory, economic and strategic context, and make the most of opportunities represented by the UK’s third-largest trade partner.

“Companies like Focus SB, a DIT South East England Export Champion, represent the best of the UK. It is vitally important to ensure they continue to enjoy healthy and sustainable growth in key overseas markets. That’s why I’m visiting today, and why the work of DIT - alongside the Made in Britain industry association and other partners - is so crucial to the future of British manufacturing.”

Ends

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.

In 2017 Focus SB made history in its industry 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