By Matthew Legg

Last updated 11:48, Thursday, 02 October 2008

CUMBRIA’S multi-million pound contribution to the British export market will be celebrated in the county’s premier business awards.

Barrow software firm 3SL, Penrith electrical company Primasonics and defence giant BAE Systems will vie for the title of Exporter of the Year at CN Group Business Awards 2008 on October 30.

The category is sponsored by HSBC bank. Main award sponsors are Invest in Cumbria and Business Link Northwest.

BAE Systems, based in Barrow, bases its application on a £4m order it won to supply submarine parts to Spanish shipbuilder Nevantia. The contract represents its first manufacturing export order for 20 years and was achieved in the teeth of strong competition from French and German rivals.

The win has acted as a catalyst to other export work for BAE, including an agreement to provide design support to companies working on South Korea’s submarine programme.

BAE said: “The success of a manufacturing export order is important not only in highlighting the fact that the UK is still capable of competing in the most demanding world markets, but also in demonstrating our investment in both technology and training and development.

“It has also helped to draw attention to the manufacturing capability that still exists in Cumbria.”

3SL produces a software package called a ‘cradle’ that it markets to blue chip companies like Nasa, Samsung, Nokia and Boeing.

Employing 24 staff, the company made a pre-tax profit of £431,000 on turnover of £1.25 last year. Exports have represented 65 per cent of turnover in the past five years.

Primasonics, meanwhile, exports its acoustic cleaners to more than 45 countries worldwide, representing 85 per cent of its sales.

A full lists of finalists is available at www.news&star.co.uk