A TEXTILE manufacturer that has grown export sales by £2million is urging companies to expand overseas.

Rossendale-based Andrew Webron rode out the recession by selling its high-tech filtration products to countries like United Arab Emirates, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Now around £13million of the company’s £19million turnover comes from overseas sales.

Bosses said the contribution from abroad is up 15 per cent on three years ago and is set to grow even more.

While demand in the UK has been sluggish as the economy falters, Andrew Webron has added £750,000 of new foreign business in the past eight months.

Sales and marketing director Julian Bickford said: “Six years ago, after we lost two big contracts, we realised that the UK market was decreasing year on year.

“We realised then that we were losing business to other countries and we have worked really hard to push overseas.

“The fact is that if you make good products, people in foreign countries will still buy them.”

The drive has seen Andrew Webron bosses visit countries across Europe and the Middle East and improve the sales team.

The firm’s head office, in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, now has staff who speak eight languages, including Spanish, French and German.

Meanwhile, according to Mr Bickford, increasing export sales need not be an expensive affair for East Lancashire businesses.

He added: “The weak pound has helped but the biggest thing that’s benefited us is cheap air fares.

“It is cheaper for us to fly to Prague than it is to go to London on the train.”

Andrew Webron’s export success was supported by UK Trade and Investment, which offers guidance to British firms on selling abroad.

North West director Clive Drinkwater said exporting businesses were more successful and more resilient during downturns.

He added: “Andrew Webron is a company which recognises the value of international trade and is hungry for new markets.”