TWEET, TWEET
DRIVING THE BUSINESS RT@UKTI_LONDON
UK TRADE & INVESTMENT SOUTH WEST HELPS PAIGNTON COMPANY, SHADO, develop its car design consultancy business in China
bit.ly/pwV5KY
D
evon-based automotive design company, SHADO (Steve Harper Art & Design Organisation), has
successfully secured business with major manufacturers in China, just months after working with UK Trade & Investment South West to investigate opportunities in this rapidly growing market.
Since Steve Harper established SHADO in 1993, the company has expanded to be much more than just a car design consultancy. With a long history of successful projects covering all areas of transport and product design, SHADO has been responsible for almost 200 projects for clients predominantly in the UK and Sweden, ranging from a car key right through to the latest high tech, multi-million dollar fl ight simulators.
In 2008, Harper opened a new, dedicated design studio in Paignton. From here, SHADO was able to offer professional design, model making and CAD services to new venture projects and large and small businesses alike. Having achieved sustained success in Europe and worked with the continent’s leading automotive companies, Harper was keen to expand the business further and enter new markets, particularly China. While he was not new to doing business outside the UK, and already had some knowledge of the protocols and etiquette of working in the Far East, he sought advice from UK Trade & Investment South West. In 2010, he began working with international trade adviser John Thompson to further explore opportunities in the market. As part of the export strategy recommended by Thompson, Harper took part in the Gateway to Global Growth programme, a service designed for companies with previous exporting experience. The programme helps maximise the opportunities and reduce the risk in entering new overseas markets. It also offers assistance in overcoming any market barriers, as well as strategic tailored support. By also taking part in UK Trade & Investment’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), SHADO was able to explore potential opportunities in the dynamic Chinese automotive manufacturing marketplace and establish key contacts in the country through bespoke market research. Since working
with UK Trade & Investment, not only has SHADO introduced a Chinese version of its website, but Harper has also spent a great amount of time in China developing relationships. This dedication has led to SHADO securing two lucrative contracts with leading automotive manufacturer First Auto Works (FAW), working on new
concepts for interiors for luxury vehicles as well as on exteriors for a minibus project. The company is now also working on design projects with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), which is responsible for the MG car brand. Harper says: “Working with UK Trade & Investment has ultimately given me the level of confi dence to enter a market that was both new and complex. It understood our specifi c needs from the start and its ongoing support and guidance has been very reassuring.” Thompson adds: “It’s fantastic to see SHADO doing so well in China. In just a short time, the company has achieved its goal of having 80 per cent of its business overseas, while still maintaining a local presence in the UK. It is developing relationships with potential partners to help continue its expansion in China. I have no doubt that SHADO will seize further opportunities and I look forward to continuing to work with it as the business develops.” ■
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