The PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards recently revealed the shortlist for its 2019 ceremony, naming six members of the Leeds City Region’s ExportExchange network as finalists.

Six of ExportExchange’s experienced patrons have been named on the shortlist, spanning four award categories. Sound Leisure and BioClad Limited were named as contenders for the ‘Small Exporter of the Year’ category, while thebigword and Petbrands were shortlisted for ‘Most Entrepreneurial Exporter of the Year’. Quality Bearings Online was also amongst the shortlist for ‘Export Team of the Year’ and Brandon Medical was on the shortlist for 'Emerging Markets Exporter of the Year".

Leeds-based Sound Leisure, the world’s only vinyl jukebox manufacturer, is a seasoned exporter which has built a global presence with overseas sales accounting for more than 75% of its total £5m turnover during recent years. The firm’s largest export market is the US, and the company recently won a large export order to Japan.

Harrogate-based BioClad Limited specialises in creating hygienic spaces using a range of antimicrobial products for use in food, pharmaceutical, retail, educational and leisure industries. The company has partnered with multinational clients and supplies hospitals in Asia, Australia and Canada amongst others.

Language service provider thebigword, which is headquartered in Leeds, employs 600 staff across its 12 global offices and is rapidly expanding, showing 28.33% growth in the last year alone. The firm recently furthered its European expansion plans by opening a new operation in the Netherlands.

Petbrands designs and manufacturers pet accessories and treats for customers around the world, as far afield as Brazil, Australia and China. The Wakefield firm’s international trade received a major boost when it won the exclusive licence to sell Hello Kitty branded pet goods in Asia.

Quality Bearings Online, the global supplier of bearings and other engineering products, won the PD Ports award for ‘Exporter of the Year’ in 2018 for the second year running, and continues to maintain its high standards with the promise of delivery anywhere in the world within two working days.

Brandon Medical has recently received the Queens’s Award for International Trade for its work supplying medical lighting to hospitals around the world. The firm is committed to helping healthcare facilitates in developing countries, recently supplying lighting to Sierra Leone to assist with the Ebola crisis.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 7 February 2019 at the National Railway Museum in York.

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, commented: “With support from event partners, nominations for the awards have doubled compared to last year, providing us with more high calibre entries to judge.

“As we head into what is set to be a challenging year ahead, it’s extremely positive to see so many Northern businesses continuing their export journey as we see the critical importance international trade will continue to play to support the vital growth of the economy. By highlighting these successes at the awards, it’s hoped we can inspire further businesses to start exporting.”