Insider Media Limited

Metal firm Angle Ring, which specialises in bending and curving metal and alloys, has secured a £40,000 deal with a French company and a further £140,000 from contracts in eastern Europe.

The company, which specialises in bending and curving has seen its export turnover rise from 5 to 10 per cent in the past 18 months. Angle Ring’s export success was helped by funding from UK Trade and Investment, through which it received support to visit new markets across Europe.

Nigel Darby, associate director at Angle Ring, said: "The assistance from UKTI was invaluable. Being able to go out and visit these countries to meet potential clients face-to-face has been so important. I’m not sure we would have been nearly as successful overseas without that help.

"An Overseas Market Introduction Service report introduced us to a number of new sales leads in Eastern Europe, one of which enabled us to secure a contract worth €100,000 from a single customer."

One of the company’s most recent creations was the lattice steelwork at the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the centrepiece of the Arab city’s race track, where Formula 1 cars speed through and around the hotel.

The steel tubes for the design were supplied from Eastern Europe, twisted into shape in the West Midlands, then shipped directly to Abu Dhabi for construction.

Angle Ring says it is now exploring further opportunities in the Mediterranean and Middle East.