County companies lead the way

12:40pm Monday 14th April 2008

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A LEADING business figure has told a Hereford conference today about success stories from county companies.

Mike Ashton, speaking at the event hosted by Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said county businesses have achieved great success.

He told the Courtyard audience that Leominster based Tyrrells has now made a substantial breakthrough in the export market, selling its products to 36 countries.

In 2006/2007 they had export sales of £119,000 but 2007/2008 saw them achieve a figure of £1.6 million.

He also told the conference that Herefordshire's unemployment figures were substantially below the national average, as were weekly earnings.

The average gross earnings for the county was £384.40 a week. This compared to a national average of £460, he said.

The conference is held in partnership with regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Hereford Times.