Cheltenham-based PVC-U panel and composite door manufacturer Portal Products sent its own winning team to Germany this year to sweep the board with its European competitors.

Already champions in France, Spain and Hungary (where Portal has developed key door panel supply contracts), the team were looking to repeat Portal's success in other countries by exhibiting at Fensterbau, Europe's largest fenestration exhibition.

Fensterbau, where Portal was exhibiting for the second time, attracted over 100,000 visitors and generated interest in Portal's products from buyers in over 30 countries.

Haydon Statham, Portal's sales and marketing manager, outlined his team strategy:

"Firstly, it's very important to feel at home when exhibiting in another country. Secondly, it's crucial not to do business on an empty stomach. So, to make sure we were on top form, I insisted the team had a full Nuremburg sausage breakfast every morning before the show."

He added:

"The only slight disappointment for me was that there were so few other UK companies exhibiting at or visiting the show. It's a real shame because it's a great opportunity not only to keep an eye on technological developments in Europe, but to generate new ideas and network with contemporaries."

"And, before I forget, the food is out of this world"