A Birmingham company has won new business to supply coffee machines to two airport cafes in the Middle East.
Fracino, of Birch Road East, Aston, is the UK’s only manufacturer of cappuccino and espresso coffee machines and associated equipment.
Established in 1964, the company has 23 employees and has been working with UK Trade & Investment for the past seven years to develop its export business.
Fracino won the first order from the Middle East after Birmingham Chamber displayed the company’s brochures on its exhibition stand at a hospitality show in Jordan. Alpha Retail, which provides retail and catering services for airports and airlines throughout the world, visited the stand and immediately contacted Fracino.
As a result, Alpha Retail’s representative in Jordan ordered six coffee machine packages for four new World Cafes at Queen Alia International Airport, near Amman.
This modern airport, hailed as Jordan’s gateway to the world, is an increasingly popular transit point for world travellers and international air freight. It welcomes up to five million passengers a year, with future plans to double this capacity.
Fracino’s commercial director, Angela Maxwell, said: "Shortly after finalising the deal, I joined UK Trade & Investment’s market visit to the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai with other companies receiving support from the International element of the AWM Food & Drink Cluster.
"I met Alpha Retail’s representative at a reception organised by UK Trade & Investment’s commercial team at the British Embassy, and discussed opportunities to supply him with coffee machines for the new terminal at Sharjah International Airport in the UAE.
"We have just fulfilled this order for four coffee machine packages, and we are now looking forward to building on this success with future business from the Middle East."
The combined value of the two orders is approximately £15,000.
Angela added: "We would never have come so far without the help we have received from UK Trade & Investment.
"Over the past few years, I’ve advised many other companies from across the region to get in touch with the international trade team at their local Chamber of Commerce and make the most of the wealth of advice and information that’s available to them."
Fracino also exports to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, Japan, India, Pakistan and Thailand. About ten per cent of its annual turnover of £2m is export business.
International trade adviser Jane Matty, based at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "Fracino is a great example of a true UK Trade & Investment success story having maximised support from a number of services including the Passport to Export programme, OMIS reports and support overseas market visits.
"Angela Maxwell’s personal drive, commitment and enthusiasm has led the company to win business in some difficult markets around the world and she has become a great ambassador for spreading the word about the support from UK Trade & Investment to companies large and small."
