Asynt Strengthens Exports by Investing in In-house Capability
11 March 2025
“Developed by chemists for chemists” is how laboratory equipment producer Asynt describes its products, which it exports to customers industrial and academic laboratories across six continents. Founded in 2003, by Managing Director Martyn Fordham, Asynt is proud to do its engineering and manufacturing in the UK, led from its headquarters Cambridgeshire. The company built on its in-house expertise in custom glassblowing to develop a range of specialised laboratory equipment, much of which includes precision glass components. Their product portfolio includes the CondenSyn® air condenser range and the DrySyn® range of laboratory heating blocks – both of which are shown to be safer to use than traditional alternatives.
Logistics Team Leader Aaron Clifford (pictured below) manages imports, exports, stock control and negotiations with shipping suppliers, for Asynt – a very responsible role, not least because of the need to ensure that delicate glassware arrives safely at its destination, and is not damaged in storage or in transit.
Asynt is a member of Gambica (the UK trade association for instrumentation, control, automation and laboratory technology), which counts export specialist Chamber International as one of its trusted partners, and it is because of this connection that Aaron first read about CI’s Export Trade Accelerator, previously known as the Excellence Academy.
“I first read about it in their newsletter” he said, “and I was very keen to join, because it was a proper import export qualification” – the program is fully accredited by British Chambers of Commerce. So, with the support of Asynt, Aaron enrolled on this six-session training program, and participated fully with the taught sessions, peer discussions and professional mentoring, graduating with merit.
Asynt sometimes needs to re-import equipment from its overseas customers, for repairs and servicing. “I had been managing imports and exports already for a couple of years, and decided to enrol in order to further my knowledge. Some of the areas that were of particular help related to inward and outward processing, and temporary imports. Now Chamber International is helping us make an application to HMRC for Inward Processing Relief”, said Aaron. “All of this is helping us to offer the best possible service to our overseas customers”.
The Export Trade Accelerator (often shortened to “ETA”) includes 6 taught modules, from “Preparing to Trade Internationally” and “Getting the best out of your freight forwarder” all the way through to “Advanced Customs Procedures”. Now in its fifth season, the next programme begins on 27 March and runs till June. It is designed to let you learn in parallel with your current work. Numbers are limited to 8 delegates to allow a more personal, individual learning experience, with personal mentoring and peer support between classes, to help you upgrade and streamline your import/export procedures, and develop your professional capabilities.
Find more information about this mentoring and coaching programme, including how to enrol here. Sign up today!
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