Great Welsh manufacturers: 7 Welsh manufacturers selling worldwide

Wales is home to ambitious manufacturers making their mark across the world. From children’s bikes and luxury knitwear to cutting-edge prosthetics and anti-corrosion technology, Welsh companies are proving that world-class design and production can thrive far beyond Wales.

As the United States celebrates National Manufacturing Week from October 3rd to 10th, it’s a reminder that the US is a key market for Wales. In 2024, around 1,066 Welsh businesses exported goods to the US, worth £2.2 billion, making it Wales’ second-largest export partner. In this article, we spotlight seven Welsh manufacturers leading the way, showing how they blend heritage, innovation, and global ambition to put Wales firmly on the international map.

Frog Bikes

Frog Bikes, based in Pontypool, is a leading manufacturer of lightweight, high-quality children’s bikes. Founded in 2013 by the husband-and-wife team of Jerry and Shelley Lawson, the company set out to create bikes specifically designed for children. This vision has earned it a worldwide reputation for innovation and quality. Even the British royal family are among its customers, with Prince Louis pictured on a Frog balance bike for his third birthday.

Since its launch, Frog Bikes has grown rapidly, with its bikes now sold in more than 50 countries across four continents. Exports make up over half of its turnover, with the United States, the world’s largest children’s bike market, a particular focus for expansion. In 2016, the company moved to a 120,000 sq ft factory in Pontypool, enabling it to increase production capacity, meet rising international demand, and further strengthen its global sales network.

Hexigone Inhibitors

Hexigone Inhibitors, based in Baglan, South Wales, is a high-tech manufacturer pioneering patented anti-corrosion technology. Founded by Dr Patrick Dodds, its Intelli-ion product is used in paints and coatings to protect infrastructure and vehicles across sectors, including construction, marine, aerospace, and automotive.

Since starting exports in 2021, Hexigone has expanded rapidly, with overseas sales now accounting for 95% of turnover. The company has secured deals in the USA, India, Mexico, and across South and Central America, supported by Welsh Government trade missions and events. With demand rising and production scaled up, Hexigone is taking its Welsh innovation to markets worldwide.

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Corgi Socks

Corgi Socks, based in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, is a fifth-generation family business renowned for its handmade luxury socks and knitwear. Founded in 1892, the company has been producing high-quality products for over 130 years, blending traditional Welsh craftsmanship with modern design. Its reputation has earned it collaborations with fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and Burberry, as well as a Royal Warrant from King Charles III, a long-time wearer of the brand.

Exports account for around 60% of Corgi’s turnover, with the United States its largest overseas market. Corgi now sells to more than 30 countries, from Japan and China to Germany and South America. With Welsh Government support, the company has entered 15 new international markets in recent years, hosting trunk shows, partnering with distributors, and collaborating with influencers. As the UK’s only fine sock manufacturer, Corgi Socks continues to expand globally while celebrating its Welsh heritage.

Mountain Trike

Mountain Trike, founded in 2011 by Tim Morgan and based in Nantwich, Cheshire, designs and manufactures innovative all-terrain wheelchairs that give users freedom and independence in any environment. Drawing on his mountain biking background, Tim created the Mountain Trike: an award-winning all-terrain wheelchair built for both off-road and everyday use.

Exports have been central to the company’s growth, with products sold through distributors in Europe, Canada, Australia, and South Korea, and directly to customers in regions such as South America and South Africa. The United States has been a key market since 2012, typically accounting for around 20% of sales, supported by a distributor in Denver, Colorado, who manages imports, sales and customer service.

Mountain Trike’s innovation has earned multiple awards, including a Silver Medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering. Looking ahead, the company plans to open an R&D and prototyping facility in Wales to expand its product range and tap into the country’s strong engineering networks.

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LIMB-art

LIMB-art, based in North Wales, designs and manufactures high-quality, customisable prosthetic leg covers that help users express their individuality with confidence. Founded in 2018 by former Paralympic swimmer Mark Williams and his wife Rachael, the idea was inspired by Mark’s own experiences growing up with a prosthetic leg and his desire to help others feel proud and empowered.

LIMB-art’s products are designed for both above and below-knee prostheses, combining robust construction with innovative, stylish designs. Initially serving the UK market through the NHS, LIMB-art has since expanded its global reach, with exports now making up around 25% of sales. Its products are sold in markets including Australia, the US, and the Netherlands, and its innovation and export success have been widely recognised, most recently with the Department for Business and Trade’s 2025 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Award in the Healthcare category.

Concrete Canvas

Founded in 2005 by Peter Brewin and William Crawford, Concrete Canvas, based in Pontyclun, created an innovative concrete fabric that hardens into a thin, durable, and waterproof layer. Now widely used across the construction industry, it combines strength, efficiency, and sustainability.

Today, exports account for more than 80% of the company’s trade, with products sold in over 80 countries. The United States has become a key growth market for Concrete Canvas. In 2021, the company established Concrete Canvas USA Inc. in Houston, and in 2024, it secured its largest US contract to date, worth over $1.4 million. Recognised for its innovation and international success, Concrete Canvas was named Wales Business of the Year and Global Business of the Year at the 2025 Wales Business Awards, cementing its position as one of Wales’ most dynamic and internationally ambitious manufacturers.

Smart Storm

Smart Storm, based in Caernarfon, is a leading Welsh manufacturer of advanced water and wastewater management solutions. Founded in 1993 by Dr. John Duffy, the company combines over 30 years of research and innovation to help industries monitor, measure, and treat wastewater efficiently at source.

Smart Storm designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of intelligent instrumentation and treatment systems, including ultrasonic flow and level meters, smart water quality loggers, composite wastewater samplers, and fully integrated effluent treatment solutions. Its flagship technologies include the NeutraliZer, the only CO₂-based pH balancing system on the market, and the Greasebuster, a high-performance Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) skimmer.

While Smart Storm does not currently export to the USA, the company is actively developing its U.S. pipeline, engaging with potential partners and exploring market entry opportunities as part of its wider international growth strategy.

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