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BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES INTERNATIONAL TRADE


Export markets are a major opportunity for firms of all sizes, and Business West provides a range of services to help you go global


Overseas markets are looking pretty


An award-winning Cheltenham-based men’s beauty brand, Hawkins & Brimble, will be lining shelves in 300 stores across Canada and the US, after securing two new overseas contracts worth a combined £500,000 in the next 12 months. Hawkins & Brimble was launched in December 2016. In just two years, the business has secured contracts with the UK’s biggest retailers including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Debenhams, as well as shipping its products to more than 10 countries including the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, China and South Africa. The latest contract wins have come


off the back of support from the Department for International Trade (DIT) as part of its Exporting is GREAT campaign, which aims to encourage local businesses to consider exporting or to grow their overseas operations. Hawkins and Brimble first


Exporting currently accounts for 60% of Hawkins & Brimble’s £1.5m turnover, and this is expected to increase to 75% in 2019 as the brand plans to enter new markets including Scandinavia, the Middle East, Australia, India, Brazil and South East Asia. Patrick Bos, sales director at Hawkins &


‘ If we can


approached DIT in 2017, when international trade advisers supported the company with funding to identify opportunities in North America. After meeting with a Canadian distributor, the


firm secured a £250,000 contract with one of the country’s largest retail pharmacy chains, Shoppers Drug Mart, to sell beard oils, beard shampoo, moisturisers, and gift sets. Texas-based grocery chain, Central Market, is also trialling Hawkins & Brimble products


find success in international markets, so can many other businesses’


Brimble, said: “We’re still a very young company and in just two short years, we’ve gone from formulating six shaving products to selling a full range of male beauty products in the UK’s largest retailers and exporting our products overseas. “Our main highlights have been working with Twentieth Century Fox to create an exclusive range of products to celebrate the release of Bohemian Rhapsody, and entering the North American market for the first time. Our International Trade Adviser at DIT has been with us every step of the way. “However, exporting is not


without its challenges. Before we entered the Canadian market, we


had to do a lot of research about buying habits and had to make sure packaging was reprinted to include


both English and French. However, anything


is possible with the right team behind you. If we can find success in international markets, so can many other businesses.” Paul Shand, DIT’s head of exports in the South


West, said: “Hawkins & Brimble has seen tremendous success, both domestically and overseas, in a very short space of time.


Hawkins & Brimble’s men’s beauty products “The company has proved that researching


buying trends and preparing tailored marketing strategies for overseas markets pays dividends. “We know that brands that export are more successful, profitable and resilient. That’s why we have a dedicated team based across the South West and in more than 100 countries to provide support to firms looking to export for the first time or grow their international footprint.” Online support, find-a-buyer, and export- readiness tools are available at great.gov.uk, where thousands of live export opportunities are also promoted.


Businesses can contact the local South West DIT office by calling 01275 370 944 or emailing DITsw@mobile.trade.gov.uk for further information.


Bursary can gear you up for growth


If you are looking to increase your export activity or to boost existing sales and profits with new international orders, then our Export for Growth bursaries can help. A bursary can be used to fund a variety of activities such as making improvements to your website, commissioning market research reports, running international social media advertising campaigns or visiting an overseas market or trade show.


Who can apply The Export for Growth bursaries are only available to SMEs (a company with fewer than 250 employees, and an annual turnover not exceeding €50m), who are based in the South West of England.


16 insight MARCH/APRIL 2019


To be eligible to apply for this funding, your company must first be enrolled on the FREE to join Export for Growth programme.


What can the money be used for For a business cost to be eligible for bursary funding, the activity must directly relate to business growth through international trade.


Examples of eligible business costs include: • international market research • website optimisation for overseas markets • market visits (travel and accommodation expenses)


• international marketing campaigns • attending trade shows • consultancy for Intellectual Property protection


Costs There are no costs associated with applying for an Export for Growth bursary.


How to apply


To apply for an Export for Growth bursary, please submit an enquiry via: www.export4growth.co.uk/bursary- enquiry-form - and one of our friendly international trade advisers will be in touch to guide you through the process.


The current deadline for applications is 29 March 2019.


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