UK Lab-Plant scales the trade wall in China
Lab-Plant, the Huddersfield-based laboratory equipment manufacturer, was the only British company invited to attend an international trade event at the Great Hall of the People in Tian'anmen Square, Beijing.
The event, hosted by the Republic of China's second in command, vice chairman of the National People's Congress, Cheng Si Wei, was one of the most prestigious held for western-based businesses seeking to set up trade links with China.
The invitation came after Lab-Plant directors met a senior Chinese contingent at ACHEMASIA, an international chemical and biotechnology exhibition held in May in Beijing.
'As the only British company fortunate enough to attend the event, we were highly honoured,' said Lab-Plant's operations director Greg Smith who was invited to the Great Hall (the equivalent of the UK's Houses of Parliament).
Lab-Plant has distribution networks in a number of south-east Asian countries including, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Greg Smith added, 'We view this as a major head start in opening up a significant market in what we believe will undoubtedly become the world's leading economy in the future.'
Lab-Plant has been in contact with 50 Chinese companies since attending the trade event, including a Beijing leading instrument dealer, BMH Instruments, which is among a number of companies assessing Lab-Plant's samples.
The company expects to receive around £250,000 in revenue as a result of the enquiries.