Aflex Hose Ltd, 'Yorkshire's Best Kept Secret' according to General Manager Tony Sedgewick-Logan, have been manufacturing high quality PTFE hose products for the process industry since 1973. Now, through HSBC's Business Thinking initiative, they are about to step into the limelight.

Aflex employ over 200 staff in the West Yorkshire region, with a head office and production facility in Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax and two production units in Brighouse. Aflex Hose are the world's leading manufacturer of PTFE hoses, with an enviable reputation throughout global process industries for product innovation, quality and production standards. Pharmaceutical, chemical and automotive manufactures worldwide recognise the Aflex PTFE hose product range to be the best available on the market today.

During this time of international financial upheaval it is a source of pride to many that a privately owned, Yorkshire company is continuing to expand, develop and prosper.

It is this very success and commitment to quality that brought Aflex Hose to the attention of HSBC and their Business Thinking initiative. Now in its second year, Business Thinking is HSBC's initiative to help the UK's most promising businesses exchange ideas, build international networks and challenge their current business strategy. The initiative also awards successful companies with a share of £108 million worth of funding and a financial award of up to £240,000.

Ambitious companies from across the UK were invited to submit applications, before being narrowed down to just 54 regional finalists that were then afforded the opportunity to attend a Thought Exchange Trip to either Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Paris or Sao Paulo. Aflex Hose were selected to attend the Thought Exchange in Hong Kong, often seen as a gateway to trade in China and the Far East. The Thought Exchange programme would provide a series of round table discussions with local and international business leaders including visits to local businesses. An opportunity that Tony grasped.

"My visit to Hong Kong opened my eyes." Tony said after the trip. "The message that was loud and clear is that Asian countries want to be associated with premium brands and success; Aflex can offer this. The HSBC staff understood my requirements and needs to open up new markets. They gave me concise advice and they let me speak to people who were experienced in my required areas. All this has given me the key to go forward with the expansion of Aflex into the Asian markets".

The next phase of the initiative will be to present Aflex Hose's business case to HSBC's panel of experts. Two winners per region will then receive up to £6 million in lending plus a financial reward of up to £120,000 each.

Furthermore, one of the UK's regional winners will be crowned overall Business Thinking winner and see their financial reward doubled.

"The HSBC Business Thinking initiative has been great for Aflex Hose so far and we have really high hopes for the next stages. The backing of HSBC highlights what a fantastic job we have been doing and creates great pride and confidence in the future of local manufacturing."