A BUSINESS specialising in car care has landed a £500,000 contract with a major airline which will see the firm export chemical products to the Middle East.

Ultimotive, a family-run business based in Colchester, has secured a deal with Qatar Airways.

The new contract will see the business supply chemical products used for car washing and valeting, automotive polishing and vehicle paint protection.

This will support the maintenance of 3,000 vehicles at the airline’s hub at Doha International Airport.

The contract was secured with the help of advisers at the Government’s Department for International Trade.

The firm also received support from government agency UK Export Finance.

Ultimotive managing director Andy Smith said: “There are a lot of regulations to understand around exporting chemical products to the Middle East.

“DIT helped us to navigate these, meaning we felt confident we could meet all international requirements before exporting to new markets like Qatar.

“We’ve found that being a British business has given us extra credibility in the Middle East and we have now added a Union Jack to our products as a result.”

He added: “I’d encourage anyone thinking about exporting to do as much research as possible and team up with advisers like DIT and UKEF.

“If we can go from a small, garage business to a major contract with Qatar Airways, there’s no reason why other businesses in the East of England can’t too.”

The firm has found a foothold in a growing market.

According to market research company TechSci, car parts, components and accessories will be worth $16 billion in the Middle East by 2022.

Established in 2003, Ultimotive now supplies major brands including Williams F1, MotoGP and Michelin.

Earlier this year the firm was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

More recently it was crowned the East of England Small Business of the Year at the Chamber of Business Awards.

Thinley Topden, DIT’s head of exports in the East of England, said: “Ultimotive recognised weather conditions were creating problems for commercial vehicles in the Middle East and that it had a solution to provide.

“The contract with Qatar Airways is a huge win, will help open up doors and lead to more opportunities in the Middle East.”