A Gloucester company has shown that the UK is a world leader in engineering skills and innovation by clinching a deal with China's largest supplier of oil well head equipment and services.
As Mark Owen from "Punchline" reported, it was a proud moment for business and civic leaders when a high powered Chinese delegation arrived at Gloucester City Council's North Warehouse this afternoon. Gloucester-based Helipebs Controls Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding with Jinshi Group (JMP) of China. The negotiations were supported by Chinese business expert Qing Lin of Stroud-based Join in China and Gloucester MP Richard Graham who has wide experience of the business community in China and the Far East.
Helipebs are specialists in the design and manufacturing of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, which are used to exert a controlled force to push or pull something in all manner of industrial applications. The MD of Helipebs Andrew Hopcraft told the delegation that if they flew to the UK in an Airbus aircraft, Helipebs hydraulic cylinders technology could have been used to test the wings. The fuel the aircraft used may have come from oil drilled also using the company's technology.The agreement was a great collaboration.
Richard Graham said Gloucestershire was an impressive base for manufacturing and also the headquarters for nuclear power plants in the UK and the emerging tidal marine energy sector. The Gloucester MP said the memorandum of understanding between Elmbridge-based Helipebs Controls Ltd. to supply hydraulic cylinders to JMP should prove "a good step forward for Helipebs' exports to China and a great example of the quality of Made in Gloucester products".
Richard was joined by City Council Leader Paul James, Sheriff of Gloucester Jim Beeley and both Helipebs Chairman Geoff Davis and Managing Director Andrew Hopcraft. JMP MD Luo Jinying was accompanied by Zhang Hongyan, Mayor of the Chinese city Karamay. The MP added: "I hope the MoU now translates into actual sales as soon as possible, with Made in Gloucester hydraulic cylinders part of Jiangsu Jinshi's supply chain".
Earlier this week Helipebs won the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade after growing its overseas sales by 142 per cent in two years. Helipebs can trace its roots in the city back well over 100 years and its products can be found in the tooling use on products ranging from Jaguar Landrover and Dyson to oil well heads up to 3 km under the sea, testing rigs for aircraft wings and even special projects in Formula 1.
With a 60-strong team the company now designs and manufactures products for clients in 55 countries. In the 1990s when Helipebs was battling cheap foreign imports it took the strategic decision to innovate high value bespoke products such as hydraulic cylinders for industries where quality and expertise are highly valued.
See more at: Punchline Gloucester