Overseas sales boost

A Cambridgeshire-based developer of advanced automation systems has reported a major boost in overseas sales in 2008, despite poor overall performance for the UK manufacturing sector.

GB Innomech, which has clients in the pharmaceutical, medical-device and environmental sectors, reported that 76 per cent of the company’s total sales in 2008 were overseas - an increase of 69 per cent over 2006.

Official statistics show general UK manufacturing dropping at its fastest rate since records began more than 40 years ago.

‘Innomech is a shining example that UK manufacturing and international trade is not as gloomy as many people think,’ said David Beale, managing director.

On the back of increased sales, the company received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2009 in the international trade category.

Innomech, which specialises in manufacturing, inspection and testing processes for production plants, particularly promotes its expertise in precision powder handling and dispensing. The process is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.