A FIRM in Huddersfield supplying products to combat flooding and help fight terrorism has impressed judges in a contest to boost exports.
Kirkburton-based Environmental Defence Systems (EDS) was runner-up in the Exporting For Growth initiative run by Government export support body UK Trade and Investment with high street bank HSBC and accountants PwC.
The company joined nine other finalists pitching their products to a panel of expert judges and an invited audience of regional business leaders at Harewood House, near Leeds.
As a runner-up EDS will now receive grants and support to develop its exporting business.
The firm has patented two key products.
FloodSax is a flood defence sandbag that uses absorbent crystals to form a heavy-duty barrier to protect against water within minutes.
BlastSax uses a water-based gel to absorb the explosion when bomb disposal experts blow up suspect packages. BlastSax also retains blast fragments for forensic analysis and forms an effective protection barrier.
Judges praised the products for their huge potential amid growing concerns about global warming and terrorism.
EDS managing director Richard Bailey said: “It was good to gain some recognition and meet other inspiring businesses.
“We are one company with two distinct global market places. Flooding can occur anywhere in the world and terrorism is also an international threat.”
Mr Bailey said EDS was already operating in markets, including the Middle East, the Far East, America and Australia, supplying organisations such as national and regional governments.
In the UK, FloodSax is supplied to clients including local authorities, builders’ merchants water companies and housebuilders.
Mr Bailey said: “In the current economic climate, companies have to export. For small companies, exporting helps your cash flow because you can insist on payment up front or payment before dispatch. In the UK, you can be waiting anything up to 120 days for payment from customers.”
Mr Bailey has more than 20 years experience manufacturing and supplying pioneering emergency equipment for organisations including fire services, police forces and the Ministry of Defence.
One of his previous inventions, the inflatable Aireshower decontamination unit, won the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in 2000.
EDS Ltd also won a Green Apple Award in 2007 for environmental best practice and sustainable development.
The winner of the Exporting for Growth competition was Leeds-based Doll Haircare, which will now benefit from £5,000 worth of support and advice from UKTI, PwC and HSBC to help boost international sales.
The firm, led by hairdresser Gary Sunderland, impressed judges with its TwiddleStic, a patented product that uses carbon-based heat absorbing technology to create curls that remain in place until they are washed out.
Mark Robson, UKTI international trade director for Yorkshire, said: “The standard of entries was incredibly high and the creativity and innovation of all the ideas was fantastic.”
