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An
innovative Merseyside cosmetic company, which produces a range of hypoallergenic
products, has been crowned with a regional export award.
Natrelle, based in Heswall, has won the North West Passport to Export Award for
Merseyside 2007 in recognition of the effect of exports on its business following
participation in the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) programme.
Joining Passport to Export gave Natrelle - which markets Natural Tan and ProSun
a hypoallergenic self-tanning product range - the confidence to develop an international
business plan and focus properly on its existing export customers while tackling
other new overseas markets.
As well
as producing cosmetics Natrelle are UK distributors for Nicogel, a cigarette replacement
gel, which they also export to Europe and Australia.
Passport to Export is UK Trade & Investment's flagship programme for new and inexperienced
exporters. It provides the training, planning and ongoing support a company needs
to begin a successful export operation.
Since
Natrelle joined Passport in April 2005, it has increased its overall sales to
£1.4M and gained a 80% increase from its international business. During that time
the company has begun exporting to Australia, France, Denmark, Iceland, Singapore,
the Faroes, Italy, Portugal and Estonia. It has capitalised on the recent concerns
over skin cancer to market the Natural Tan range in what would otherwise be extremely
difficult markets.
Clive
Drinkwater, UKTI's North West Regional Director, says:
"Passport
is an excellent and varied scheme that can be developed in a huge variety of ways
and my congratulations go to Natrelle for the progress it has made with UKTI's
assistance."
Lyn Armitage and Paul Tunstall, Directors of Natrelle, said,
"We
were very grateful to UK Trade & Investment and the Passport to Export scheme
for all the help and advice - especially that given by our adviser Julie Greensword.
There are only two of us in the company and we work extremely hard so it is lovely
to be given a pat on the back from someone else and we are delighted to win this
award."
The
Passport to Export programme combines new and existing UKTI services, according
to a company's particular business needs. Participating companies receive a business
health check, mentoring from one of UKTI's local export professionals, an individual
export plan and a range of developmental training options before putting those
skills to practical use by visiting an agreed market.
To
qualify for its award as Merseyside's sub regional winner, Natrelle were judged
to have met all the selection criteria, which included:
·
Evidence of the impact of international trade on the overall success of the business.
· How successful the company has been
in penetrating overseas markets since joining the Passport to Export programme.
· Evidence of how an international trade strategy has translated
into results. · Demonstration of the
use of innovative solutions. · A clear
indication of future plans & commitment to consolidate and/or increase international
sales. |
Related links:
Notes
to Editors:
UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that
provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade
and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work
of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments
across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine
International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development
Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network
of International Trade Teams.
Issued on behalf of UK Trade
& Investment by the Government News Network.
