Zytronic, the leading manufacturer and developer of advanced, rugged Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT™) touch screens today announced that Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister for Trade and Investment, visited its Newcastle, England headquarters and manufacturing site.

Lord Maude visited the company following the Gateshead launch of Exporting is GREAT, an ambitious new exporting initiative which aims to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020. Lord Maude was accompanied by David Coppock, Regional Director, UK Trade & Investment North East region and Bill Oliver, Senior International Trade Adviser, UK Trade & Investment. He was welcomed by Mark Cambridge, CEO, Zytronic, Claire Smith, Group Finance Director, Andrew Morrison, Technical Director and Adrian Leyland – Production Director.

During his visit Lord Maude was offered a full tour of the manufacturing facility, which occupies 80,000 square feet of land in Blaydon on Tyne and has seen significant enhancement in recent years. He was also offered a presentation by Mark Cambridge covering Zytronic’s growth plans out to 2020 as well as demonstrations of Zytronic products. A discussion with Zytronic executives on government support for UK industry rounded out the visit.

Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Francis Maude, said, “Travelling overseas in my capacity as Minister for Trade, I see first-hand the demand that exists for UK products and services, but many companies don’t realise this demand exists. We are confident that through Exporting is GREAT; by raising awareness of and providing access to these opportunities, together with giving companies the practical advice and guidance they need, we will inspire and support thousands of new companies in the exciting new venture of selling overseas. It’s been great to hear about the export success stories from companies here in the North East, and I’m looking forward to visiting the rest of the UK and hearing similar stories from new exporters.”

David Coppock added, “Zytronic is an exceptionally impressive UK manufacturing company, which has established a strong lead in its market. I warmly congratulate Mark Cambridge and his team on their vision, and in their success in developing export markets for their products in the USA, the Far East and Europe. I understand that the company now exports most of its production, which makes Zytronic a valuable contributor to our balance of trade.”

Mark Cambridge responded, “It was a great privilege to welcome Lord Maude and his colleagues to Zytronic here in Newcastle. The opportunity to show him what we do here and to discuss our relationship with the government was very valuable.”

Lord Maude was in the region to launch Exporting is GREAT, the government’s most ambitious export campaign to date. For the first time, it will present real-time export opportunities across media outlets and digital channels to businesses – of all sizes, from across sectors and every region of the UK – that they can apply for immediately. The platform will go live with hundreds of business opportunities, which will be available at www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk. Around 1000 more will come online each month.

Spearheaded by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the campaign will provide advice and expertise to support businesses at every step on their exporting journey, from initial interest to selling in-market. This will include a year-long Exporting is GREAT roadshow that will travel the length and breadth of the country giving face-to-face assistance to first-time exporters using the latest technology to connect businesses with live export opportunities.