Flying the flag for Britain

Stockport based Hughes Safety Showers welcomed a surprise Royal visitor to the Company’s stand at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition (ADIPEC).

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment and gave an opening address on day two before touring the exhibition.

Visiting the Hughes stand, he spent time with Managing Director Tony Hughes and Group Sales Director Paul Darlington discussing some of the issues British companies face when selling abroad. He was also interested in the Company’s history, products and two Queen’s Awards for Exporting. He was surprised to learn that even Buckingham Palace has a Hughes Emergency Safety Shower!

Hughes is a regular exhibitor at the exhibition, the largest in the Middle East devoted to the oil and gas industry. The Company, which this year celebrates its 45 years in business, has been supplying Emergency Safety Showers and Eye/Facewash Equipment to the oil, gas and petrochemical buy phentermine 37.5 mg industries in the region for more than 30 years. The opening of a regional sales office in Sharjah (near Dubai) in 2006 to provide local support to distributors and customers has helped to further increase sales and strengthen the Company’s position in this important market.

Tony Hughes is an outspoken advocate for small and medium size businesses in Britain and the contribution they make to the UK economy. He is also a member of the Advisory Group to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

“When we take part in exhibitions around the world we are not only promoting Hughes but we are flying the flag for Britain,’ says Tony Hughes. “Support from HRH Prince Andrew at exhibitions such as this is invaluable, not only drawing attention to the best of British but also hopefully encouraging other UK companies to take up the challenge and explore opportunities for exporting.”