REIDsteel is playing tribute to the success and innovative approaches of Dorset Export companies, by sponsoring a new award category at this year’s Dorset Business Awards, organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

The UK Exporter of the Year Award is a celebration of the contributions Dorset exporters have made to both the county and the international economy.

The award is free to enter for any Dorset business which has been trading for at least three years and has a record of

international trade during that period.

Simon Boyd, managing director of REIDsteel, said: ‘‘Exporting is in our blood. We work hard to maintain our position at the forefront of the UK steel construction industry.

“Exports are incredibly important not only to us but also the UK economy – the UK’s huge trading deficits can only be addressed through the ingenuity, drive and determination of exporters who can turn this trading deficit into a surplus.

‘‘Our wealth of experience and logistical knowledge within the export market makes us the ideal sponsor for this category, and hopefully we can be of valuable to the category entrants.

“As a previous Dorset Business Award winner we appreciate the advantage such recognition can bring to an organisation and its staff, which is why we are keen to see businesses putting themselves forward in the knowledge that it will have a similar positive impact.

‘‘We’re looking forward to recognising some of the exceptional exporters in Dorset as well as celebrating the achievements of all businesses involved who are as passionate as we are in making a difference here and overseas.’’

UK Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by REIDsteel, checklist:

n Describe what your business principal export markets are

n Describe what products/services you export

n Describe your level of commitment to international trade/fair trade

n Provide financial details of your annual turnover for the last three years, your turnover of export sales and the level of annual export sales as a proportion of total revenue sales in financial years

n How you achieved sales into new markets or increased export turnover in recent years

n Detail any specific future export growth aspirations

n Explain what challenges the business has come up against and how it has overcome them

In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, the awards are backed by Wave 105 and are free to enter.

Entries can be submitted via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk until the closing date on Sunday September 3.

Entry is open to all companies which are based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode and membership of DCCI is not required to enter.

For further information about the Awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner, which will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 23, please contact Stuart Dixon on 01202 714810.