Pictured above: (l-r) UK Trade & Investment
international trade adviser Pat Steele is pictured with Gray's of
Shenstone managing director Nick Gray and company export manager
Sue Birtwistle
An established Staffordshire designer and supplier of giftware
is reaching global markets - with help from UK Trade &
Investment.
Gray's of Shenstone was founded in 1922 and specialises in a
wide range of giftware with equestrian and rural themes, such as
clocks, jewellery, table mats, watches, models and
collectables.
The company turned to UK Trade & Investment to help it to
export more proactively and has recently completed the flagship
Passport scheme.
This programme provides a package of support for new or novice
exporters, including a free export health check, attendance at an
export workshop, assistance in formulating an international trade
strategy and matched funding to help implement this strategy,
quality training and mentoring advice and access to the full range
of UK Trade & Investment services.
Gray's of Shenstone is now exporting its giftware to more than
20 countries as a result of exhibiting at leading equestrian trade
show Spoga in Cologne, thanks to financial support through
Passport.
Export manager Sue Birtwistle said: "We first attended Spoga
with funding through UK Trade & Investment in September 2008
and were delighted with the outcome. It was such a success that we
have returned twice since and we are looking forward to going back
this month.
"We are exporting across mainland Europe and to Australia,
Canada, Hong Kong and Japan because we were able to meet leading
retailers and distributors at the event.
"Our export turnover will be well in excess of £100,000
this year, up by at least 25 per cent on last year.
"We had never exhibited at an overseas event before going to
Spoga and we were unsure about it at first because of the cost and
time involved.
"With financial support from UK Trade & Investment and the
encouragement of our international trade adviser, Pat Steele, we
felt much more confident to go to market and the results have been
fantastic."
International trade adviser Pat Steele, based at North
Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The team at Gray's of
Shenstone are very focused on exporting.
"They channelled their strategy and marketing budget into
identifying and benefiting from a platform which gave them maximum
exposure and opportunity, and this has proved very successful."
Gray's of Shenstone has 20 employees and an annual turnover of
approximately £2m.