A Welsh glass recycler, whose unique process means its output is in demand all over the world, is confident that its business objectives will not be put on hold in light of political and economic uncertainty,as a result of establishing a robust foreign exchange (FX) strategy.
GlassTech Recycling Ltd, an exporter that has developed an innovative technique to remove contaminants from used glass so it can be remelted into new glassware, sought the help of currency market experts Godi – previously OSTCFX – to ensure its bottom line will not suffer as a result of market volatility.
The dynamic and growing business is based in a custom-built plant in Swansea Docks, perfectly situated to export to the world. Yet GlassTech, like many British exporters, has been faced with immense uncertainty of late, making pricing exports difficult to manage.
Political developments such as the triggering of Article 50, followed by Prime Minister Theresa May’s surprise announcement of a snap general election set for June, have amplified the ambiguity surrounding what Brexit will mean for British businesses – especially those that export to EU countries.
GlassTech exports to countries including Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. But it has also started to export beyond Europe, with enquiries from Dubai, Chile, India and China.
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Although promising for the business, exporting means managing FX, and the higher the volumes, the greater the risks. As Godi highlights, if the value of the pound should rise, or the other currency fall, between the price being agreed and the goods delivered, GlassTech could take a major hit, with potentially devastating implications for the company.
Karen John, managing director of GlassTech, said she was not willing to gamble the future of the company on an uncertain FX market:
“I know all there is to know about glass, but foreign exchange is a different matter. It’s completely alien to me. People just assume their bank will offer them the best rate but it was not so forthcoming in my experience,” Karen commented.
Upon seeking a second opinion from Godi, she discovered not only were better ratesavailable, but Godi helped her understand which products and strategies would be most beneficial for GlassTech.
Brett Thomas, head of dealing at Godi, explains:
“Like all exporters, GlassTech faces a degree of foreign exchange exposure in the window between taking an order from abroad, manufacturing the goods and actually shipping them.That’s why a robust foreign exchange strategy is advisable to hedge against the risk of fluctuation.
“We suggested Karen use a time-option forward, which secures anexchange rate for a future date, but with the flexibility to draw down any value up to the settlement date. That gave her the ability to budget with certainty about the costs of shipping and the money coming in.”
Paul Langley, managing director of Godi, added:
“Unlike a bank, which deals with one transaction at a time, Godi consider its clients’ long-term interests. We also educate clients through taking the time to explain how foreign exchange works. GlassTech now has the confidence to price exports globally, secure in the knowledge there is a strategy available that will protect it from adverse currency fluctuations.”
Contact
Seren Global Media
Christina Deias
About Godi
Godi Financial offer end-to-end international trade expertise and services encompassing FX risk management, currency exchange, finance and education. We’re a business set up to achieve one principal objective: to introduce greater certainty of outcome for businesses and individuals looking to trade internationally.
Originally established in 2012 as OSTCFX (being part of the OSTC Group), Godi is a brand that today has forged a reputation for unrivalled international trade expertise, outstanding service quality, and trusted, transparent market insights. As for the promise we make to all clients: we’ll help you plan, execute, and manage international transactions in the most cost-effective manner possible. We do this by offering a comprehensive range of services that help you manage risk, deliver against strategy, and respond in a timely fashion to market fluctuations.
As the first Wales-based FX company, it has saved its Welsh clients in excess of £750,000 versus their previous FX provider and processed more than £500 million of transactions.