Celebrating Five Years as Export Champions

In 2019 we were honoured to be recognised as “Export Champions” by the UK Government's Department for Business & Trade. Fast forward to 2024 and we are proud to be celebrating our sixth consecutive year as the only hydraulics suppliers to receive this prestigious title.

First launched by the UK Government in 2013, the Export Champion community currently consists of a group of just under 400 UK companies that operate across a wide variety of industries and sectors. All have two traits in common. The first is their drive to harness all the opportunities that exporting and international trade can provide. The second is their passion for spreading their knowledge so that other businesses across the UK can join in pursuing all the benefits that come with exporting to international markets.

Exporting is in our blood

Exporting has always been a core part of our business – our first international customer came on board within the very first month of trading.

Since then, Hydraulics Online has exported to an ever-expanding list of destinations that now covers every continent (yes, all 7: North America, Antarctica, Asia, South America, Africa, Oceania and Europe) and over 130 countries. Beyond the demographics of geography, our customers come from more than 20 diverse industry sectors. We’re in whatever market you’re in; great knowledge and service have no limits!

Making the miles disappear

We pride ourselves in our ability to “make the miles disappear” outclassing many of our loyal, overseas customers’ domestic suppliers with our multi-award-winning knowledge and expertise – as well as competitive pricing and lead times, of course. With thousands of customers all around the world, and more coming on board every day, exporting today accounts for around half of all our business – and we have no intentions of losing any momentum outside the UK any time soon!

A role model to others

“The Department has a critical role in delivering one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities: growing the economy, creating better-paid jobs, and ensuring levelling up right across the UK. Increasing UK exports is integral to this, and to realising our ambition of achieving £1 trillion of exports by 2030. This is where Export Champions can make a difference.”

– Lord Offord of Garvel, Minister for Export, Department for Business and Trade

“It goes without saying that we are thrilled to be handpicked as Export Champions for a sixth consecutive year. We knew from day one, back in 2004, that we wanted to trade beyond the UK, allowing customers the world over to harness our technical expertise. But being recognised by the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, as a role model and source of inspiration to others in business, makes us hugely proud and further underlines that our vision, approach, and customer service track record are truly world-class.”

– Helen Tonks, Co-founder, Hydraulics Online Ltd

Are you looking to start your own exporting journey?

If you’re a business based in the UK and are considering the benefits of expanding your customer base beyond our borders, but aren’t sure how to start, visit the Department of Business and Trade, by following this link: https://www.great.gov.uk/

Here you can get advice about how to export, where to export, how to develop your exporting plan, as well as much more!

More on Exporting and Awards

Awards and Recognition

We’re recognised inside and outside of our industry for our excellence in customer service, international trade and innovative support and collaborations with third parties.

Promoting an “Export Mindset” to the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

As part of our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, Hydraulics Online co-founder, Helen Tonks, has taken on the role of business “dragon”, adviser and judge since 2017 – supporting undergraduate students taking part in the Young Enterprise Start-Up Programme and competition.

First Announced as Export Champions!

Hydraulics Online was first announced as a Northern Powerhouse Export Champion by the UK Government’s, then, Department for International Trade in February 2019.