GCP portfolio company AIS wins King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade

GCP are delighted to share that AIS has won its fifth King’s Award for Enterprise, receiving the International Trade Award 2023 for its rapid international expansion since 2020.

The award recognises the business’ global expansion, notably in China, Brazil, Malaysia, Ghana, and the United States. With support from GCP, the AIS management team identified international expansion as an opportunity for rapid growth and revenue diversification. This strategy has continued to strengthen the business’ position across geographies and through the Covid-19 pandemic.

International revenues have seen impressive organic growth of 70% since 2020, including the development of a sales platform in China from nothing, now representing export revenues of over £8m. This organic growth has been supplemented by the acquisition of CRP Subsea in 2022.

GCP is proud that the accomplishments of AIS have once again been recognised with one of the country’s most distinguished business accolades. With international expansion being a key component of the GCP growth toolkit, through establishing new sales routes to market, partnerships, recruiting local talent, and navigating regulatory issues, we can see significant further international growth potential ahead for AIS.

Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, said:

“I’m absolutely delighted at AIS’s success at the first King’s Awards for Enterprise. Recognising their export achievements on four continents including markets to which I’m the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy. This shows that neither Brexit nor COVID-19 prevent great Gloucester businesses from growth and the AIS team deserves great credit for this recognition.”

Andrew Bennion, Managing Director, AIS, added:

“To receive the King’s Award for International Trade is a great honour. It is a testament to our export strategy that saw us emerge from the challenges of the pandemic stronger than ever. We also understand the importance of investing in our products and people, and I believe this focus has contributed significantly to our success.”

James Blake, Managing Partner, GCP, commented:

“This achievement for AIS shows just how much value the business has and continues to create. We are always great proponents of international expansion, so the King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade is one we are especially proud of. It is a great success for AIS, GCP, and Gloucester businesses, and we heartily congratulate them for it.”