When it comes to export, the team at Intec Printing Solutions knows a thing or two about it. And so they should, as the company has been sending goods around the globe for the last 20 years.

On hearing that Intec has just been recognised as a top 500 distributor in Europe, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable congratulated the company and requested a private meeting to hear of issues it faces during the export process.

“Good communication is the bedrock of our business,” Intec Operations Director John Anderson told Dr Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. “It ensures that we can keep in regular contact with our network of partners through video conferencing, Skype and email. As a company we have been severely hampered by slow or no connection speeds due to our broadband connection.

“It really is frustrating and embarrassing that connection speeds in Dorset are so slow when they are considerably faster in many developing countries,” said Mr Anderson.

During the event in Bournemouth, which was chaired by Robert Syms MP for Poole, Dr Cable said that he was keen for good communication to prevail and that this would hopefully happen when the 4G networks become reality. He added that he hoped Intec “continues to go from strength to strength in the future”. There was also discussion about the complicated process of export to China.

“We should be exporting to China and India but we are restricted by red tape,” said Mr Anderson. “The British government, on our behalf, could be ensuring a smoother and more balanced path.”

Intec Printing Solutions Limited is listed in Distributors in Europe – The Top 500, a report produced by IT Europa, the news and market intelligence specialist.

The report spans 38 countries and represents the most detailed view available of this key market sector, according to IT Europa Publications Ltd.

“The European market for IT products, including printers and consumables, has been highly competitive over recent years and the role distribution plays is crucial in increasing efficiency and ensuring cost-effective delivery,” said IT Europa Editor John Garratt. “The IT Europa Distributors in Europe - the top 500 database report provides detailed profiles of the leading distribution companies in Europe and every organisation within it has worked hard to build and sustain a business that delivers real value to its customers.”

Peter Scott, Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry, added: “It is a significant achievement for Intec Printing Solutions to be included among the top businesses in a sizeable sector which is expanding at such a rapid rate, and with such wide European and global reach.”

Total revenues for all companies included in the Distributors in Europe – The Top 500 equal £112.47 billion ($174.23 billion or €125.47 billion) during the 2011 financial year, with a total staff figure of 75,614. Overall, total revenues of all companies increased 20.64 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010, and since 2009 to 2011 the market has increased by 36.26 per cent.

Visit the Intec website at www.intecprinters.com to listen to John’s radio interview on Wave 105.