Knowledge Exchange Wales solves business problems

Phil Lake, Chief Executive of Lakeside Security and guest speaker at the business innovation network’s Trading Places, was able to solve a delegate's business problem during the question and answer session following formal talks.

The event was aimed at helping Welsh businesses to access markets in China and Hong Kong. Also speaking were Sam Yuan of telecommunications giant, Huawei, Adela Liew of Invest Hong Kong, Bjorn Segerblom of Hong Kong Science Park, and Mark Jones of the China-Britain Business Council.

The query was from a delegate interested in importing a small volume of goods from China but hampered by the large cost of the import container. With his long experience of importing from China, Mr Lake offered to share his expertise, contacts and containers.

He said: “Over the last decade I've been able to build several successful businesses due to my contacts in China. These businesses would not exist and employ so many local people if I had not controlled my manufacturing costs. Jobs can be created by using international suppliers. Importing parts from China and Hong Kong can mean huge savings for manufacturers and create Welsh companies with the potential to become internationally successful.

“If companies are unsure about importing then they can start with small quantities until they are satisfied with quality and service. Most have just one supplier for many products; why not have two competing with each other?”

Ceri Jones, Director of Knowledge Exchange Wales and Deputy Head of Swansea University’s Department of Research and Innovation, chaired the event. He said: “Wales has to realise the potential of the China and Hong Kong markets, not only for manufacturing, but for the research and development opportunities as well as the sheer scale of the sales opportunities available. This is something that Swansea University has been trying to get industry to notice for a long time.

“We hope that this Knowledge Exchange Wales event will have opened some eyes. We’ve also had a real success today – a businessman has left the event with a real company issue solved by an expert sharing his knowledge.”

Delegates at the event, which included around 30 businesses, were impressed with the resources and expertise of the speakers at the event, and the networking session afterwards.

Mr Lake would like to see more successful business ambassadors leading other businesses toward success, and less reliance on Government initiatives. He is keen to share his success and help others to replicate it.

To view the video of Mr Lake’s presentation please click this link: mms://mrcstr1.swan.ac.uk/kew/kew2/phil_lake2.wmv