The Year of the Rat offers new beginnings and ‘Rising Star’ prosperity for Hydraulics Online!
On Friday 31st January 2020, DIT Export Champions, Hydraulics Online were crowned winners of the Greater China ‘Rising Star’ Award at the exuberant annual event held at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester.
The Greater China Awards are open to any company or organisation in North West England, that has made a significant contribution to developing business with Greater China (mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) in the last year. This may include bi-lateral trade or investment, education and community sectors.
Awards are given in four categories: Recognition Award, Business Award, Education Links Award and Rising Star Award.
The Rising Star Award is for businesses who have developed innovative and successful partnerships with customers in Greater China over the last three years. Previous winners include: AFL Architects in Manchester and ATG Access in Haydock, Merseyside.
The Verdict from the Judges
The Hydraulics Online team was over the moon when the winning Rising Star announcement was made by Paul Stowers, Head DIT UK Regions – North West Northern Powerhouse, in a fiercely competitive category of ten eagerly awaiting North West exporting businesses.
The award rationale says:
Our 2020 Winner is a company that has shown great attention to detail when researching the market opportunities – which led them to revising their marketing strategy, internationalising their website and logo and investing in an updated platform to enhance online sales. They sell on the basis of quality and service, and Greater China is now their largest export market.
Bev Mullin, Deputy Head DIT UK Regions – North West Northern Powerhouse, says:
I’m delighted that Hydraulics Online won the Rising Star award, especially as the company is already one of our Northern Powerhouse Export Champions. I know that the business has worked really hard to establish itself in China in recent years, with high quality products and service, so this success is very well-deserved.
The future looks bright. Hydraulics Online has a clear vision of its long-term presence in Greater China and is collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University and the China Britain Business Council in order to maximise the impact of further market penetration.
The Year of the Rat
Helen Tonks, Operations Director and Co-Founder at Hydraulics Online sums up the award night experience: 
Given that we were one of ten businesses shortlisted in our category, we were stunned when our name was called. Owning a business and driving growth in these profoundly uncertain times is tough going, but our ambition and progress, particularly in the last 12 months, were recognised by the judges. We have a clear vision, plans and an awesome team, and we clearly shone through.
Moreover, it feels extra special to win this award at the very beginning of the new lunar year – Year of the Rat, which is the first of all zodiac animals. And in terms of yin and yang, the Rat is yang and represents brightness and growth.
About the Award Organisers
The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand here in the UK. It helps companies realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and ongoing partnership support.
Need Advice from an Export Champion?
In addition to Greater China, Hydraulics Online support customers in 130 other countries and 20 sectors worldwide and in February 2019, the UK Department for International Trade recognised their global footprint and achievements by giving Hydraulics Online ‘Export Champion’ status.
An important part of being an Export Champion is to help others fulfil their global market potential. If you need guidance in export, please send an email to: feedback@hydraulicsonline.com
You’re in safe hands!
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