Swindon-based vehicle tracking and telematics firm CMS Supatrak has set up a lucrative deal to export its pioneering technology to Brazil – one of the world’s fastest-developing economies.
The firm, which produces sensory and management IT systems for waste collection vehicles and other heavy transport, is expecting to earn around £75,000 a month from the five-year deal with a Brazilian manufacturer. 
CMS Supatrak’s technology can give users considerable savings in fuel consumption and improved efficiencies in route planning and driver performance. In the UK it works with blue-chip clients such as SITA UK, Veolia Environmental Services, Biffa and Kier.
The Brazilian agreement came as the result of the firm taking part in a trade delegation with five other South West firms to South America’s largest country with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Government’s export boosting body. It also received funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Managing director Jason Airey said: “We visited the market in Brazil previously in a somewhat random manner and without any specific prior preparation.
“This proved unsuccessful but did help us to identify the issues in the market and the need for expert assistance if we were to achieve anything significant.
“Therefore coming to the market on this occasion, with the assistance of UKTI and the ERDF programme, placed us in a much stronger strategic position.
“We are delighted that this will produce a revenue of around £75,000 per month. The experience demonstrates the importance of bringing a unique product to Brazil and receiving the essential assistance of UKTI staff both in the UK and in the consulates.”
Ahead of the five-day visit, UKTI carried out a high level of market research and preparation and set up a number of meetings for CMS Supatrak, which is based on Swindon’s Delta business park.
“The results from the week in Brazil became almost too staggering to contemplate and has placed us in a situation, which even UKTI consider to be exceptional.
“We have been introduced to the main players in the market and accompanied by UKTI into those meetings. The experience demonstrates the importance of bringing a unique product to Brazil and receiving the essential assistance of UKTI staff both in the UK and in the consulates.”
UKTI international trade adviser Graham White, who organised the tour, said: “Our delegation from the South West has received an enthusiastic response from potential customers in Brazil and provided a solid basis for growing a lucrative export market for our firms.”
The ERDF’s High Impact Growth Economies programme gives companies intensive and focused support for market entry into Brazil. In the past two years the programme has led to sales of £90m and helped create more than 300 jobs for companies across the South West.
