BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES inspire


Stateside success for South West


cheesemaker Bristol-based farm and cheesemaker, Lye Cross Farm, has secured additional business in the US which is estimated to generate more than £1.5 million in turnover within the next 12 months. The deal will see the company ship its certified 100% grass-fed organic sharp cheddar cheese to the country. Initially launching in 30 grocery stores in California, the company expects to see its cheese in up to 1,000 stores by the end of 2019. This has the potential to double Lye Cross Farm’s business in the US. The cheese has been made specifically for the


US market after the business discovered that US buyers prefer creamier cheeses with a more distinct yellow colouring. As part of the Food is GREAT campaign, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Trade (DIT) are supporting many businesses to take the leap and sell their food and drink products abroad. Lye Cross Farm received funding support


Bristol firms take a trip across the pond


A handful of innovative Bristol businesses headed stateside in June to generate interest in their products and services as part of a delegation led by Business West’s award-winning international trade team. Businesses including Sparkol and YellowDog


embarked on a whistle-stop tour of the East Coast’s major business and financial centres to network, learn about the latest business opportunities and potentially find clients. As the most populated coastal area


in the United States, the North- Eastern Seaboard and Chicago are home to some of America’s most admired companies and is the driving force behind the national economy. Factor in that seven of America’s top 10 universities, two of its busiest airports and the seat of the federal government are all located there, the United States’ North-Eastern Seaboard and Chicago present a compelling market opportunity for growing and ambitious UK businesses. During the seven-day visit, companies engaged with the Boston and Chicago business ecosystem with a view to accelerating their trade with the States, in addition to learning about the support on offer from the UK Government abroad. Chief commercial officer at YellowDog James


Stevens said: “With some of the world’s leading companies headquartered in Boston and Chicago this trade delegation came at a pivotal time for YellowDog as our unique solution


increases momentum in the financial services and life sciences sectors, together helping crack some of the toughest challenges.” Similarly, Richard Gee, co-founder and chief


‘Companies


engaged with the Boston and


Chicago business ecosystem’


executive officer of Rixxo, said: “We couldn't wait to join the delegation and continue to build our roster of US based clients, while showing why Bristol is such a great city to do business with.” Business West’s market specialist for the US, Ameeta Virk, who led the visit, said: “There is no substitute for getting out into the target market and meeting target customers and partners face-to-face. This, along with a host of supporting meetings with local innovation centres and business leaders, is exactly what we were doing.” Running parallel to the visit led


by Business West, who are responsible for delivering the


Department for International Trade (DIT)


contract for the South West of England and who generated over £650m of export sales for the UK economy in 2018, was a delegation spearheaded by Bristol’s city mayor Marvin Rees and West of England metro mayor Tim Bowles. Accompanied by city leaders from the University of Bristol and Destination Bristol among others, the visit aimed to ensure maximum impact through collective profile- raising, shared resources, and a strong and coherent story about the benefits of partnering with, investing in and trading with Bristol and the South West.


JULY/AUGUST 2019 insight 15


from Defra and DIT to attend the Natural Products Expo West in Southern California in March 2019 to showcase its new product and meet other potential buyers. It has recently been recognised for their excellence with a Board of Trade Award, which recognises international success and was presented to the business by secretary of state for International Trade and president of The Board of Trade, The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP. Paul Shand, DIT’s head of exports in the South


West, said: “The South West has a rich heritage for food and drink produce, particularly for dairy. Lye Cross Farm is a great example of a brand that’s using its West Country provenance to capture the imagination of international buyers. “We know that those who export are more


resilient, successful and profitable than their non- exporting counterparts, but we also understand that exporting isn’t without its challenges. “That’s why we have a team of international


trade advisers based in the South West and specialists in more than 100 countries to guide firms through the entire exporting process. Our advisers can help companies target new territories and advise them on matters such as tax, regulation and logistics.”


Businesses looking for support should contact 01275 370 944 or email DITsw@mobile.trade.gov.uk or visit great.gov.uk, which has thousands of live export opportunities currently listed and includes general information on exporting and events.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32