A Swansea company – whose safety software is used by the largest multi-national companies in the world – hosts an international forum this week for its global clients.
RAP International specialises in developing software products to keep workers safe when carrying out maintenance work in hazardous environments such as the oil and petro chemical industries.
This week, as it hosts its fourth two day (Oct 17-18) international forum many of their clients including BP, Petrochina, Qatar Petroleum, Chevron and Castrol, are in Swansea to get an update on RAP International’s latest developments, provide feedback for future developments and share best practice.
RAP International’s flagship product, RAPnet, available in more than 20 languages, is used by more than 40,000 users daily and can help cut accidents by up to 75%. Its products and services are currently used in over 130 locations in 37 countries across the globe.
Their programmes provide simple and effective solutions for controlling risk and streamlining work processes in all sectors by a detailed approach to the identification, control and management of risk in the workplace.
Business Minister Edwina Hart, who is to give the opening address at the Forum today, said RAP International’s overseas success demonstrates the importance of trading internationally.
She added: “RAP International is a great example of an innovative small Welsh company with global reach. It has proactively sought opportunities in overseas markets and successfully internationalised its business, exporting products developed in Wales to the world.
“The International Forum also provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Wales as a place to do business and highlight the skills and expertise available in Wales, helping to raise our profile globally.”
Speaking ahead of today’s event MD Mark Carter said they currently export 80% of their products overseas and holding international events for their clients helps promote their Swansea operation as a centre of excellence.
He said: “The knowledge base has been developed in Wales and we want to keep it here and build and expand the business here, offering sustainable, well paid, interesting and challenging employment locally.
“We have ambitious plans for growth and are focusing our efforts on the Middle East and the Americas which represent a huge untapped market and aim to double turnover in the next three years.
“Our forecast growth will be driven by sales of the next generation of products we are currently developing. They are designed to utilise mobile and other technologies, particularly location capability, to make essential safety information instantly accessible for people working in remote locations.”
RAP International has had financial support and help in accessing overseas markets from the Welsh Government. It includes trade missions to Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, Brazil and Washington which has helped contribute to an increase in sales to the Middle East and the Americas
The company established in 1994 by Mark Carter with just two members of staff currently employs twenty people in Swansea and has an office in Houston, Texas and agents in the Middle East and China.