Founded in 1971, The Proton Group specialises in the supply of hightechnology, cost-effective and innovative cleaning and disinfection
products for a wide range of end uses in sectors including food and
beverage, hospitality and animal healthcare.
By the time he joined The Proton Group in 1996 as deputy
managing director, Murray Angus already had exporting
experience which started in the late 1980s when he was sales
manager for Dutch floor coverings and carpet tiles manufacturer
Heuga UK Ltd, Aylesbury, selling to distributors in the Middle East
and South Africa.
Murray Angus, who became managing director of The Proton
Group in 2003, adds: “Exports are currently 15 per cent of our
sales but we plan to achieve at least 25 per cent of our sales from
overseas markets in the next three years. We have recently won a
significant contract to supply beer dispensing hygiene products to
a major international brewery in Eastern Europe which looks set to
be worth £120,000 per annum.”
WE ARE INTERNATIONAL
Ambassador PROFILE
Murray Angus
managing director of The Proton Group
“Never assume prices for your goods or services abroad are the
same as in the UK”, says We are International export ambassador,
Murray Angus, managing director of international cleaning and
disinfection products manufacturer, The Proton Group.
“Do your research. In many cases, you’ll be surprised how much
more you can charge to overseas customers,” he says.
Under his leadership, The Proton Group, Normanton, started
exporting in 2002 through a distributor in the Republic of Ireland
and has never looked back.
“We then established distributors in the USA and the UAE. In the
past five years, our focus has been, and remains, on mainland
Europe, with distribution gains into Denmark, Sweden, Poland and
The Netherlands. There is still a lot to go at.”
Murray, who has already advised several businesses since becoming
an export ambassador, adds: “I aim to offer practical advice gained
from my experience and mistakes, which can help to remove some
of the mystique and myths about exporting. I’d like to steer novice
exporters away from the pitfalls and help them to develop a sales
plan to exploit the opportunities and benefits of overseas trade.
Has he any more tips? “Novice exporters need to be persistent and
patient. It takes time to develop overseas business. They must also
ensure that they allocate enough financial and personnel ɕͽ