Rochdale is going global!

Delphine Greenhalgh, Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

The notion of Rochdale as a global town might not be obvious to everyone. Yet, over the last few years, Rochdale has attracted the attention of international companies looking to strategically relocate their distribution centres or to make lucrative acquisitions. As well as inwards investment, Rochdale is harbouring a large number of companies, mainly in the manufacturing sector, whose increasing export activities help the borough and the region to contribute to the government export targets.

As an international consultant based in Rochdale, I was keen to make the international theme the topic of our latest Action for Business networking forum. Over 50 guests heard from one of the borough’s manufacturers, TBA Electro Conductive Products Ltd, whose export activities have greatly been boosted recently through the support of the Chamber’s export team. TBA is very much one of Rochdale’s success stories for the manufacturing sector and export growth.

We also heard from Susana Córdoba, who is the Chamber’s North West regional co-ordinator for the Overseas Business Networks Initiative. Susana’s role is to facilitate the export initiatives in the North West, liaise with Chambers of Commerce overseas and offer country-specific advice to exporters, whether first-timers or established exporters exploring new markets.

It is worth mentioning that export is not exclusively for the manufacturing sector. The service sector is in fact one the fastest growing export sectors in the UK currently. So, if your company is in the education, IT or training sectors, you might want to consider exploring markets outside the UK.

The sports industry has always attracted international and global audiences. Millions of football fans around the world followed the triumphs, and the disappointments, of teams during the World Cup held in Brazil. But for me, the highlight of the summer sporting calendar has to be the Tour de France. The event, which departed from Yorkshire this year, has be the ultimate global sporting event, with audiences of over 3.5 billion and broadcast in 188 countries.

The Tour passed through the Rochdale borough for less than 1km in July and attracted over 10,000 visitors. If like me you made your way to the top of Blackstone Edge Reservoir in Littleborough, you will have experienced a friendly, family day. It was “Tourrefic!”

Having been brought up in France and immersed in the TDF culture from an early age, I proudly waved my flag alongside visitors from as far as Switzerland and Australia. But my heart was definitely beating for Rochdale on that day.

If there are still some sceptics out there, it is believed that the event has boosted the local economy by over £1million. I also believe that the long term legacy of the TDF will bring regional and international visitors back to the region.

For help and advice on International Trade, contact Susana Córdoba on 0161 237 4120. Join us at the next Rochdale Action for Business event on 11 September:

http://www.gmchamber.co.uk/events/775

Delphine Greenhalgh
Rochdale President
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce