Interplex lights up Africa with export contract
A Solihull company which designs and develops innovative solar products has won its first order in Africa.
Interplex Solar Technology (UK), of Vulcan Road Industrial Estate, started up in September 2009 and exports already account for 60 per cent of its £150,000 turnover.
The company, which now employs three people, secured the trading boost with help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
Realising the international potential of the business, managing director Mark Thompson contacted UKTI for help when he first established the company, and enrolled on the Passport to Export scheme.
With advice and support from UKTI, he has spent the last eight months designing and developing new solar products specifically for overseas markets, especially Africa, India and Pakistan.
Mr Thompson said the solar kits could be of use to African youngsters with their studies.
He explained: “We’ve just achieved our biggest order yet – worth about £55,000 – for solar panels to go to Kenya.
“This is exactly the breakthrough we are looking for as I see our easy-to-install products as ideal for charities working to provide energy to distant villages, for example.
