Rugby suppliers tackle overseas markets with help from UKTI

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Monday 2 June 2008 12:05
UK Trade & Investment (North West)

Rugby suppliers tackle overseas markets with help from UKTI


Wirral based NBS Rugby, who are major suppliers of quality rugbytraining equipment, have seen their exports leap from 9% to 40% ofoverall turnover after completing UK Trade & Investment'sPassport to Export programme, the flagship scheme for new andinexperienced exporters.
The scheme provided comprehensive training in exports, matchfunding for a trip to Spain and also helped fund the design of anew multi-lingual website incorporating e-commerce to drive forwardoverseas sales.
NBS Rugby, a family run company who manufacture everything fromtackle bags to tag belts and foam post padders in their Nestonfactory, have seen turnover double this year - and are currentlyofficial suppliers to the Spanish Rugby Federation.
Managing Director Trevor Hobster first went into business in 1983as a management consultant, but later moved into manufacturing,developing high quality foam pads with PVC covers which brewerscould use in cellars to enable them to safely drop barrels down.
One brewery customer suggested that Trevor's top quality foamproducts could be adapted for the rugby industry, and in 1994 NBSSports and Leisure was born - later to become NBS Rugby.
NBS Rugby now supply hundreds of rugby clubs, local authorities,schools and colleges with training equipment, as well as beingofficial suppliers to many rugby clubs in the UK, and have expandedtheir range to include moulded items such as water bottles andcarriers, space markers and many others which they have made forthem.
It was their contact with the Spanish Rugby Federation that led NBSto UK Trade & Investment. Approaching their first big forayinto exporting, the company enrolled for the Passport to Exportscheme - which included a four day training course as well asfinancial assistance - and found it tremendously helpful.
"We probably wouldn't have been able to do it without UKTI's help,"says Trevor Hobster.
"Before the course I thought I knew it all, but I found out Ididn't and the sessions were very useful, well-run withenthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.
"Passport to Export helped to match-fund a trip to Spain where Imet up with the Spanish Rugby Federation and secured the business,and we are also getting orders from individual clubs and schoolsfor tag belts and equipment, as tag rugby - which is a safer,non-contact version of the traditional game - is one of the fastestgrowing sports worldwide."
NBS arranged to put a substantial amount of stock into Spain, whichcould be sold to members of the federation without them paying 30%shipping costs on top, and have recently received an order for tagrugby kits to supply schools in and around Madrid.
Trevor also used the balance of his funding to help finance a newtrilingual website http://www.nbsrugby.co.uk which has English, French and Spanish versions, and is continuingto work with UKTI on further overseas plans.
"We have already had a small export order to Italy, and have anongoing enquiry in Prague, and we are planning to expand furtherinto Europe this year," adds Trevor.
Paul Wilcox, International Trade Adviser for UKTI North West says,
"The North West is justly famous for its successful rugby teams,and it seems fitting that we have a successful manufacturer andsupplier of high quality rugby training equipment based here in theregion.
"NBS Rugby were already recognised as a well priced, qualitymanufacturer in the UK, and had contacts overseas already, but thePassport to Export programme helped facilitate their transitioninto an international supplier, offering practical, tailored adviceand match funding to help them secure contracts and make theirwebsite fit for purpose.
"NBS are keen to expand on their current export success as thepopularity of the sport continues to grow, and we will continue tosupport them with their overseas trade ambitions in the future.
"We would urge any other North West companies looking to take theirfirst steps into exporting to contact the International Trade Teamand see how we can help."
For further information on UK Trade & Investment services,contact the North West International Trade Team Tel: 0845 603 7053
E-mail: info@uktinorthwest.co.uk
Note to editors:
UK Trade & Investment is the UK Government's internationalbusiness development organisation, supporting businesses seeking toestablish in the UK and helping UK companies grow internationally.
The services offered by UK Trade & Investment bring together anetwork of business sector specialists and support teams in Britishembassies and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts allaround the world, as well as key experts in government departmentsacross the UK. UK Trade & Investment works with a wide range ofpartner organisations in the UK, including Regional DevelopmentAgencies and the Devolved Administrations, Business Links, Chambersof Commerce and trade associations. For more information, visit theweb site at: http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF UKTI BY COI NEWS AND PR NORTH WEST


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