The boss of a 海角视频 insulation manufacturer says Brexit has cost his business 拢250,000 - in just the first three months of the year.
William Bown, the managing director of SuperFOIL Insulation, said the decision to stop free trade with the EU had led to a huge drop in revenues compared to 2020.
He said the business was counting the cost of delays, disruption and increased shipping fees associated with the Government鈥檚 decision to 鈥渢ake back control鈥.
Before Brexit, the family-owned business sold around a fifth of its products to customers in Europe, much of it through Amazon.
Since January 1 EU sales have dropped to just 2.9 per cent of its total.
The business has now set up a trading company in the Netherlands to try and bypass the new regulations and distribute products to EU customers 鈥 and is planning to export there in bulk to reduce costs.
The 拢250,000 loss in revenues does not take into account the cost of setting up the new EU operation.
Mr Bown said: 鈥淲ith the clear and visible impact of the pandemic and the lockdowns having dominated the headlines, small manufacturers and exporters like us are having a very tough time as a result of Brexit.
鈥淧roblems with red tape, hugely increased shipping costs and issues with logistics firms have meant it鈥檚 next to impossible to get our product to customers in the EU.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had problems with delays, disruption and complications regarding new rules and processes.
鈥淔ortunately, while exports have fallen, our sales to customers in the 海角视频 have done really well, so one has offset the other.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very lucky for that because otherwise, we鈥檇 not have been able to continue investing in our headquarters or taking on new people.鈥
海角视频 trade suffered a record 拢5.7 billion slump in the weeks following our exit from the trading bloc on January 1.
Things bounced back in February, although exports to the EU were still 11 per cent below the same month last year 鈥 a sign of continued border friction.
Imports from the EU have been less resilient, and remain more than 拢5 billion down.
In another example of the problems faced, more than 200 jobs at a car parts firm in south Wales face being axed partly due to Brexit.
Kautex Textron, which has a plant near Caerphilly, South Wales, said it was discussing possible staff reductions with its workers as well as the potential closure of the site after 51 years in the town. The plant opened in 1970 and makes car parts including water containers and nozzles.
A spokesman there said: 鈥淏rexit, as well as the ongoing economic impact of Covid-19, are the key contributors to this decision.鈥
Domestically, SuperFOIL said it had seen record 海角视频 sales, with sales of its SuperFOIL鈥檚 Rad-Pack radiator reflector, Garage Door Insulation kits, and narrow-gauge SFBA Bubble Foil Insulation helping the company grow, despite Brexit and the pandemic.
That was partly due to people carrying out home improvements and converting rooms, lofts, garages and outbuildings into home offices during lockdown.
SuperFOIL products are sold in stores including Yorkshire Trading Company, The Range, and QD Stores as well as DIY, trade and wholesale stores and websites.
It was founded in 2007 and is part of the Boulder Developments Group, which supplies roof, wall and floor insulation to building firms, architects, public and private sector and self-build projects.
