Many Cumbrian companies are sending their products around the world.

Exporting is a big part of many of our firms' day-to-day lives and this is your opportunity to celebrate your achievements.

From foodstuffs to machinery, there are hundreds of firms which send a slice of Cumbria to other countries.

If you're in exporting, it doesn't matter what size your industry is, we want you to enter the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2018, in association with Sellafield Ltd.

Last year's winners was Trade Copiers, based in Penrith.

Set up in 2002 by Stephen Armistead with just a van, Trade Copiers now employs around 30 people.

It buys and sells copiers and consumables in the UK and has a thriving export business for used copiers, to places including China, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Botswana and Egypt.

In January, it started work on a £500,000 expansion.

It broke new ground at its Gilwilly Road headquarters to create extensions to accommodate its ever-growing business.

The firm said 2018 was a time for it to futureproof its business by investing in infrastructure and people.

It has bought the building next door, formerly occupied by Hospice at Home, which it will convert into extra office space.

Two other extensions will give the company space to create a testing and refurbishing area to house the technical team and more copier machine storage area.

This, the company said, will allow it to expand and upgrade the loading area leading to an increase in the volume of containers shipped from the depot by 30 per cent.

It said it will increase the workforce by 20 per cent and aims to increase its total staff levels to 40 by 2019.

Stephen Brownsteele, marketing manager, said “Following on from winning the In-Cumbria Best Exporter 2017 award, we are delighted to see this level of investment.

"Breaking ground on the £500,000 expansion is a real declaration of our confidence in the continued growth of the business.”

Judges in the 2018 awards will look for companies which have developed new markets outside the UK and can demonstrate:

Significant export sales in relation to the size of the company

Success in accessing to the markets outside the UK

Trade growth through exports and the ability to sustain that growth

The in-Cumbria Business Awards 2018 has a total of 16 categories recognising individuals, businesses’ achievements, sectors and specific activities.

The finalists and their guests will gather at the Halston Hotel, Carlisle, on Thursday November 15 for the awards ceremony, hosted by BBC presenter Jeremy Vine.

For more information and to nominate entrants for any category, visit www.in-cumbria.com/businessawards