A Yortek trade mission to Scandinavia has led to a North Yorkshire manufacturer clinching a £1 million contract to supply automobile labelling for the new Saab 9-5.

Thirsk-based GSM Graphic Arts, which counts General Motors and Ford amongst its biggest automotive industry export customers, has found business in Scandinavia is running 20 per cent higher than it was a year ago.

In addition, during this latest trip, relationships have been developed with a new Swedish distributor.

GSM's managing director Barry Dodd said: "Even for an established exporter, trade missions are invaluable. They give you a focus around which to arrange export meetings.

"Without this structure it is very easy to put off organising a trip due to other commitments. Also, the fact YORTEK makes all the travel arrangements is a great time saver."

Established 24 years ago, GSM has 200 employees at two other factories in the UK, aside from its Thirsk headquarters - Wetherby and South Wales.

Mr Dodd said: "Being a specialist subject we are in at the design stage of the cars, and use a variety of materials, including aluminium and polyester."

Although the automotive industry accounts for 50 per cent of GSM's sales, Mr Dodd avoids revealing turnover. "Although we've grown every year and the profits are fine we tend to believe turnover is vanity and profit is sanity," he said.

GSM's other main market is in the electronics industry. Last year it bought part of Wetherby-based Advanced Group's in-house capability.

Overseas trade is booming, despite the strength of the pound. "We have a very fast response to all our points of customer contact, delivering faster than local suppliers." said Mr Dodds. "Within a recession nobody wants to stock anything and needs it delivered at the last minute. So our speedy service level will help us to continue to grow." Meanwhile, on the same mission, bio-technology specialist B&K Universal secured a £500,000 contract with the State Hospital in Oslo, as well as winning business in Sweden.

Gerry Bantin, chairman of Aldbrough, Humberside-based B&K Universal Group of Companies, said: "YORTEK focuses specifically on the requirements of specialised, hi-tech organisations. It is one of the few professional associations which is really geared towards the commercial needs of its members."

Steve Leatherbarrow, Secretary of YORTEK at North Yorkshire County Council EDC, Steve Leatherbarrow, said: "The missions have proved to be equally useful for companies which have a long record of export trade, as those which are entering into this market."GSM Graphics Arts has been nominated by North Yorkshire Tec for its "outstanding achievement" in Investors in People recognition.

Leading exponent of teamwork

GSM Graphic Arts Ltd has been highlighted as one of the UK's leading exponents of teamworking and best business practice after its name was put forward by Business Link North Yorkshire

The publication lists 120 companies across the UK that have been hand-picked as examples for their progressive management, innovative style of operation and use of technology.

GSM, which has 65 employees at its Castlegarth Works site in Thirsk, was approached after being recommended by Business Link North Yorkshire Innovation and Technology adviser Roger Benson.

This is the second time the company's operational excellence has been recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry, having been featured in a video shown last September at a DTI conference entitled Managing Change - The Key to Competitiveness.

Visits to GSM are scheduled for January 27, February 24, March 24 and April 28, and places, costing £50 a head, will be strictly limited. Bookings will be co-ordinated by the DTI.

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