Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 35 | Page 16

16 | Aycliffe Today Business
Crafter’s
Companion
handed
Export
award
C
rafter’s Companion celebrated the
end of another hugely-successful
year when they were awarded the
Export award at Aycliffe Business
Park’s Make Your Mark event.
Crafter's was recently ranked at number
31 in this year’s Sunday Times SME Export
Track 100 list after experiencing 72% year-
on-year growth in export sales.
One of just four North-East companies
to make the list, Crafter’s Companion has
grown significantly from a small start-up
into a global enterprise, now exporting to
32 countries worldwide across Europe,
Africa, Australia and North and South
America.
Founded in 2005 by award-winning
entrepreneur Sara Davies, Crafter’s beat off
competition from
Roman and Mill Masters to pick up the
award.
Sara Davis said: “I’m absolutely thrilled
that Crafter’s Companion has won the
Export award at this year’s Make Your Mark!
“From a small Durham-based start-up
we have grown significantly in the last 13
years, expanding the business in 2016 and
opening the first of our three retail stores.
“In that time we’ve also become a
global enterprise and now export across 32
countries worldwide across Europe, Africa,
Australia and North and South America.
“2018 has been another year of amazing
growth for the company, with our export
business growing by £3.6m in 2017-18 to a
total of £13.8m, and it’s a testament to all
the hard work of our teams across the UK,
Europe and US. I’m delighted and this is a
real achievement for us as a company.
“We ranked at number 31 in this year’s
Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track
100 list, after experiencing 72% year-on-
year growth in export sales, compared to a
listing of 52 last year.
“With our roots firmly in the North East,
we were one of only four companies in the
area to make the list and we ranked the
highest overall, which is amazing.
“We expect to see continued export
growth throughout 2018 and beyond,
driven by product innovation, greater brand
visibility and increasing consumer demand.”
The award was presented by sponsors
of the award Ebac, another major Aycliffe
exporter.
Ebac’s group financial director Graham
Currie said: “Ebac believe that it's
important for businesses to play an active
role in the local community, demonstrated
by our sponsorship of various grass roots
sporting clubs, Durham Cricket Club,
Darlington Football Club and football clubs
in the Northern League.
“There are many great companies on the
business park, and it’s great to be able to
have some fun and celebrate success.”