PROOF that British firms can still be supreme at exports comes from Sheppee International Ltd, of Elvington.

As engineers to glass manufacturers, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary by announcing that in three years its exports have moved from 75 per cent of turnover to 90 per cent.

Turnover last June stood at £3.9 million, making the 34-employee firm the world's leading supplier of hot glass handling equipment.

Now Sheppee is pitching for the International Trade Award as well as Large Business Of The Year in The Press Business Awards 2007 In 1992, when Sheppee was based in James Street, York, the firm went into receivership but was rescued in a buyout led by Jeff Yoward, its former works director, who has since steered the firm back to boom.

Now there is huge demand for Sheppee's "warehandling" system - a process to move glass to an area where it cools from a high of 270C (518F).