Fracino hailed as a national export champion

In the European Business Awards

Midlands manufacturer Fracino - which sells its coffee machines to over 70 countries including Italy - has been nominated as a UK national champion in the European Business Awards for its strong growth in international trade.

The UK’s only manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino machines, which posted an unprecedented £4.1million turnover this year, is among a record 709 national champions representing 33 countries in the first round of the awards, supported by key influencers such as EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht.

Fracino, which launched an export arm from scratch in 2008, will now go onto compete for the coveted Ruban d’Honneur in the import/export award category.

In the same week the third generation family business, which has marked double digit growth since 2009 and boosted its team by 20 per cent over the last 12 months, has been shortlisted in the small sized enterprise category of The Manufacturer’s high profile awards.

Fracino MD Adrian Maxwell said: “It is tremendous that our innovation, investment and success in international trade are being recognised by such prestigious shortlistings. We always strive to punch above our weight and deliver world class manufacturing standards as we make inroads into new countries including Guatamela, French Polynesia and Singapore.”

The manufacturer has injected almost £3m into cutting edge machinery and expansion to new premises since Easter 2012 and developed six machines in the last six years.

Fracino was also invited by 10 Downing Street to showcase its machines, which were used by world leaders at the 2013 G8 Summit. The company has received a raft of accolades since January 2013 including the Outstanding Export Award and ‘Winner of Winners’ award from manufacturing association the EEF.

Makes exporting waves: founder Frank Maxwell front left seated) and Adrian Maxwell (front right seated) with Fracino team members.