BHETA Export Forum combines advice and experience
BHETA’s export forum – the first since the formation of the BHETA Export Committee – combined case studies from BHETA’s many successful exporting members with expert advice from the DIT and international Chambers of Commerce from a number of key target territories.
Aimed at companies already down the track with export through to those exploring the opportunities for the first time, the forum covered opportunities for overseas missions, international shows, and grant availability. Taking place in October at Austin Court in Birmingham to coincide with the Chamber’s International Annual Conference on the day following, the event attracted a truly international audience.
Ian Harrison and Mark Sankey, respectively Midlands Export Director for the DIT and Head of International Trade for Birmingham Chamber outlined both the policies in place to aid international trade and the practical support available. The ease and importance of accessing export delivery partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and British Business Centres was a key message of the whole event.
Case studies from Monument Tools, What More, and MastaPlasta illustrated the variety of approaches to the export opportunity which can work well for different product and delivery options. The forum continued with insights into particular markets – Central Europe and Romania, Chile, India, and Turkey – all of which recommended the ideal routes to access the sales available, before BHETA’s home improvement sector director, Paul Grinsell updated the meeting on BHETA’s recent mission to the Balkan states.
Housewares Director and member of BHETA’s Export Committee, Will Jones summarised the event, exhorting members to make the most of the resources available. “The home market is very tough for many suppliers and BHETA has been encouraging members to explore various forms of diversification for some time. Given that the one upside of the fall in the pound’s value is improved conditions for export, finding and building relationships with customers overseas is a tremendous opportunity.”
The BHETA Export Committee aims to help members to explore export successfully. It is chaired by Tony Grimshaw of What More UK and the other committee members are Geoff Gorst of Meyer Group Ltd, Jonathan Collier of Monument Tools, Joe Denham of VegTrug, and Will Jones and Nicola Adams-Brown from BHETA.
For more information about BHETA including the Export Committee, contact the Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130.
Source: BHETA
October 2017