Exporting Drives Growth for Subsea Specialist C-Kore Systems Limited
Imagine founding a company, then gaining the Queens Award for Enterprise (Innovation), then the Queens Award for Enterprise (International Trade), and then the King’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade), all in less than fifteen years – what a story that would be!
But that’s exactly what C-Kore has done, while pursuing its stated mission to “simplify subsea testing”. Starting in 2012 C-Kore originally based itself at its sister company, Zetechtics Ltd.’s, offices near Malton, and then moved to its headquarters in Escrick, just south of York in 2018. As the company has expanded it now has representatives in The Netherlands, Brazil, Nigeria and the US, and exports account for around 80% of its sales. This year, C-Kore added a sales office in Aberdeen, to be nearer to key customers and strengthen its ability to serve customers in the North Sea region.
C-Kore designs and produces specialist testing equipment for underwater electrical and optical cables, which it then rents to customers in the energy sector, worldwide.
Among other responsibilities, Office Manager Elaine Hukins oversees logistics for C-Kore, ensuring that test equipment is delivered safely and on time, wherever it needs to go.
In terms of customs procedures and documentation, cross-border equipment rental arrangements are no different to other exports and imports – it is still necessary to understand and comply with the exact requirements of the destination country, in order to ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective delivery. For this reason, Elaine is glad to be able to call on Chamber International’s team of experts for country guidance. “They even arranged for me to be introduced to an In-Country Chamber of Commerce when we received an enquiry from a country we had not previously dealt with”, she says.
C-Kore equipment regularly leaves the UK on “temporary export” for another reason – to be used by sales team in practical demonstrations when visiting overseas customers and trade events, which may be as far afield as Australia. In such instances, by first obtaining an ATA Carnet via Chamber International, the equipment can be exempted from import duties and the need for customs clearance, saving time and money, and simplifying things greatly for the company. “I just use E-Cert” says Elaine, “then Tamires from Chamber International replies, and the ATA Carnet is set up within a few days. It’s good to know we get them done the same day too, if there is an emergency need”.
“It’s always a pleasure assisting C-Kore and working with Elaine”, says Tamires Souza-Cichorz, who leads CI’s ATA Carnet service. “We hope that they go on to win even more Royal Awards, as their export business grows”.
Telephone Chamber International on +44 0845 034 7200 or complete an ATA Carnet Enquiry Form for a quote.
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