Several Milton Keynes businesses have explored new manufacturing, supply chain and export opportunities in Thailand after joining a trade mission organised by the Thailand Board of Investment.
The delegation included MumPod, the UK-based maternal health business founded by Rosamund McFadden and Sarah Thorne, and HealthTech Un Ltd, alongside EasyReach Underwear, after being introduced to the opportunity by Milton Keynes innovation and product development company Inond.
The mission centred on SUBCON Thailand, a manufacturing and industrial sourcing event in Bangkok, and gave participating businesses access to suppliers, manufacturers, investors and trade organisations operating across South East Asia.
Delegates visited industrial sites, attended business matching sessions and met organisations working in sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and renewable energy.
HealthTech Un Ltd’s participation also highlighted links between Milton Keynes’ innovation sector and organisations including The Open University and Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Following the formal programme, Inond remained in the region for supplier meetings and factory visits across Thailand before travelling to Taiwan to continue discussions with manufacturing partners. The company said the trip formed part of its wider strategy to strengthen supply chain relationships across South East Asia.
Benn Klewpatinond, founder of Inond, said the company chose to share details of the BOI programme with businesses in its network after recognising the potential value it could offer smaller firms.
“International opportunities can feel out of reach for many small businesses, not because they lack ambition, but because they do not always know where to start or who to speak to,” he said.
“The highlight was not just attending the mission ourselves. It was seeing companies travel to Thailand because of that introduction, sit face-to-face with suppliers, meet investment and trade bodies, explore new relationships and come away with real value.”
Rosamund McFadden, co-founder of MumPod, said: “For MumPod the trip was a game changer. And to think that it all came about from the kindness and real advocacy of someone in our MK network, it just shows how important these connections and relationships that we build in business are.”
The programme included visits to healthcare organisations including Bumrungrad International Hospital and VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, alongside manufacturing facilities at AMATA City Chon Buri, one of Thailand’s largest industrial estates.
Oliver Pearce, founder of EasyReach Underwear, said the mission provided access to contacts and opportunities that would have been difficult to secure independently.
“The Subcon conference, organised by the Thailand Board of Investment, brought together an invaluable network of people and companies,” he said.
“My company, EasyReach Underwear, may now be able to penetrate the Thai and surrounding ASEAN markets as a result of meetings with numerous Thai companies. The whole thing was a great success and an opportunity I would take if it came up again.”
The visit reflects growing interest among UK SMEs in developing international supply chains and exploring new export markets as businesses look beyond traditional manufacturing hubs.
For participating Milton Keynes firms, the mission offered an opportunity to build relationships and assess manufacturing capabilities in one of South East Asia’s fastest-growing industrial economies.
