Security Print Firm's GBP3.5m Exports Earn Award

A Kalamazoo Security Print product story

Edited by the Printingtalk editorial team Jun 22, 2006

Export sales totalling GBP3.5m have secured Kalamazoo Security Print the title of exporter of the year for 2006 in the West Midlands passport awards in the UK.

Export sales totalling GBP3.5m have secured Kalamazoo Security Print the title of exporter of the year for 2006 in the West Midlands passport awards in the UK.

Sponsored by Continental Airlines, the awards celebrate the achievements of members of the Midlands World Trade Forum and new or novice exporters that have been helped by UK Trade and Investment's flagship Passport scheme.

Export sales, which account for 22.6 per cent of Kalamazoo's GBP15.5m turnover, have been generated by the company's export team working with 27 agents and distributors covering 35 countries worldwide.

Kalamazoo's largest market is Africa, which accounts for 80 per cent of its total export turnover.

This year, Kalamazoo secured its largest single export contract to date - an order to produce more than 12 million ballot papers for the Ugandan Government's local elections.

Kalamazoo also produced 60 million cheques for over 60 per cent of the Nigerian banks last year.

Kalamazoo's managing director, Richard Bentley, said: "We are thrilled to have won this award, which is a testament to the heritage, skills and experience that Kalamazoo Security Print has developed over its 100 year history.

This award has been made possible through the tenacity and hard work of all of Kalamazoo's employees.

The company is committed to growing over the next three years and export represents a significant opportunity for us - we are geared to capitalise on that opportunity." He added: "Kalamazoo Security Print is a fine example of a West Midlands company with the right mix of people and products to be successful in the burgeoning global economy." Doug Mahoney, international trade director for UK Trade and Investment in the West Midlands, said: "I congratulate all the winners, together with the dedicated UK Trade and Investment international trade advisers who have supported them.

We hope the success of the winners will inspire other firms in the region to embark on the path to exporting." All regional award winners will be considered for The National Passport awards later in the year.