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Project part-financed by the European Union
Kelkay, a young company based in Pollington in the East Riding of Yorkshire is catering to the growing worldwide market of ‘garden proud’ customers who are demanding a wide range of choice in landscaping materials from decorative slates and cobbles to designer fountains and water features.
Considering that Kelkay started life just five years ago, it’s rapid growth as one of the most successful suppliers of aggregates and quality landscaping materials to garden centres and nurseries across the country is all the more surprising.
But Kelkay knew it wasn’t just the British who are fond of their gardens, and with a view to expanding their business overseas the company signed up to UK Trade & Investment’s workshop-based Passport to Export programme.
Business Development Manager, David Heyworth said:
“Getting involved with the Passport programme was definitely the right move and it’s already paying dividends in our overseas trade. The programme helped us to develop our website www.kelkay.com into an attractive virtual colour brochure which appeals to customers both at home and abroad. We are already exporting to Dubai, Malta and Ireland and we have plans to expand into other European countries soon.”
The key to the company’s dynamic marketing strategy is a talented and committed team which includes Sales Director, Chris Barlow and Marketing Manager, Dan Jakes.
He added:
“We’ve recognised that people are much more sophisticated about their gardens nowadays and they expect more innovative solutions like colour coordinated gravel chippings for the drive and interesting textures and shapes for their rockery stones and ponds. Now that people are investing as much imagination and flair in designing their gardens as they are in decorating their homes, Kelkay is responding with a range of products that lets them do it in style.”
Gareth Price is one of UK Trade & Investment’s international trade advisers based at the Humber Business Link in Grimsby.
Gareth Price said:
“To say it has only been trading overseas for a year, Kelkay’s export success is all the more remarkable. Developing an eye-catching website where the company could showcase its products internationally was the first step to attracting overseas customers.”
Kelkay was set up in 2001 and is a family-run business with eighteen employees. Earlier in the year the company attended the international garden centre show in Birmingham which netted them yet another large order supplying a US chain of stores based in Dubai.
He added:
“We are now exploring funding possibilities for Kelkay that will provide them with market research data for a number of European markets they would like to target in the near future.”
Kelkay contact: David Heyworth 01405 869333 or dave2@kelkay.co.uk
UKTI contact: Gareth Price on 01724 291 537 or GPrice@a4e.co.uk
