The company, which designs and manufactures food packaging equipment, saw a 30% increase in turnover last year and overseas trade doubled from £2.5m to £5m.
It recently opened an office in Poland and Chile and extended its Richmond, Virginia, US, operation to 5,000 square feet to cover the North American market with plans for a facility in Sacramento.
Sustainable recovery
Lord Livingston stressed the importance of investment in food processing and production to drive the UK export economy.
"Improving export performance is vital to building a sustainable recovery, and a fundamental part of the government's economic plan,” he said.
"The North West has the third largest number of MSBs in the country, and we are actively supporting this hugely important sector, as well as the many new exporters in the region.”
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.
Lord Livingston met Tenmat, in Trafford Park, which has bases in the US, France and Italy and earns 80% of its revenue from abroad; 3M in Chadderton, whose manufacturing operations for Europe are based at the site; and Proseal UK.
Tray sealing
Set up by directors Steve Malone and Robbie Hargreaves in 1998, Proseal provides tray sealing machinery to food producers in the UK. Some of its products include Auto Tool, Hot Rod and E-seal.
The factory opening marks the third at the company’s headquarters in Adlington, Cheshire. The additional 25,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space brings the company’s total capacity to in excess of 120,000 square feet.
Over the past 12 months, Proseal has also recruited an additional 50 people, bringing its workforce in the UK to 180.
“Our success in export markets is evidence of a growing trend towards convenience products for both fresh and ready prepared foods across all territories and markets,” said Malone.
“This is leading food manufacturers to source packing that combine quality presentation and effective product protection while maintaining fast throughput.”
The firm also has operations in Australia and the Netherlands.
UKTI pledge
Lord Livingston recently pledged to substantially increase the funding UKTI provides to medium-sized businesses such as Tenmat, promising to contact them all by summer 2014 and provide a relationship manager for all those who require export assistance.
The North West has 870 MSBs, employing one in five of the region's workers.
He also promised to step up support for small companies who want to export and increase awareness of the services the Government can offer, through targeted marketing and improved web access.