An advanced manufacturer from Northamptonshire has won the chance to boost its exports through Heathrow.

Diamond Hard Surfaces is among a dozen small businesses from across the UK who will take the next step in selling their goods and services abroad thanks to the support of Heathrow’s World of Opportunity. The programme helps SMEs across the country branch out into international markets.

Each winning business will receive a £2,000 cash grant and expert advice on how to boost their sales overseas. The funding will be used for vital trade missions or staff training, while the Department for Business and Trade will connect the companies to appropriate support and guidance.

World of Opportunity is delivered in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses and their nationwide network.

This year’s winners demonstrate the breadth of entrepreneurs from across all of the nations and regions of the country. They include game developers, artisan fudge-makers, outdoor adventure tours and specialist manufacturers.

Diamond Hard Surfaces Ltd specialise in advanced materials technology, providing innovative solutions for high-endurance applications using their unique, patented amorphous diamond material, Adm™. Their coatings significantly extend the lifespan of components operating in extreme environments, offering exceptional durability, abrasion resistance, and low friction.

They continue to ambitiously grow their customer base and currently export to over 22 different countries with export sales representing more than 65% of their business. In 2022, Diamond Hard Surfaces Ltd were proud winners of The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade.

Heathrow colleagues recently toured the country to meet first-hand the winning SMEs and learn more about their growth plans.

Chris Walker, CEO of Diamond Hard Surfaces, said: “It’s really great to have won the World of Opportunity award for the East Midlands. The grant will be a welcome boost to our continuing export journey and provides welcome exposure to our growing coating and thermal management materials business. Heathrow is an important hub for our international trade development.”

Dawn Edwards, East Midlands regional chair of FSB, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with Heathrow Airport on this important competition supporting small business exporters from here in the East Midlands, and I’m delighted on behalf of FSB to congratulate Diamond Hard Surfaces.

“Exporting means growth, and I hope today encourages more small business owners across our region to consider going global, themselves.  We know that trading overseas opens the door to new markets, new customers and new opportunities and those who export are more likely to navigate through tougher times, too.

“Our research shows that, with the right backing, more small businesses can take the leap into global trade. Congratulations to all the winners across the UK.”