Marsden Weighing Group
Weighing up the benefits of international business

A Rotherham company has seen its export levels more than double in less than three years after accessing key UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) programmes through the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC).

Marsden Weighing Group, based at Centurion Business Park, first turned to the SYITC for help in 2004 when they felt ready to venture into the overseas market.

The company, which manufactures scales primarily used in the human and animal healthcare sectors, accessed two valuable services through the SYITC. As a result exports have nearly tripled from 6% to 17% of the company’s turnover since they started working with the trade centre.

Managing director Richard Black said: “The SYITC have been invaluable in helping us to develop our export programme. They have made a significant difference to our business by providing a first class service.”

SYITC international trade advisor Eric Holland helped Marsden finance a sales catalogue in four languages through the Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) consequently enabling the company to reach and appoint distributors in Sweden, Holland, Spain and Italy.

Eric also introduced the company to UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) which provided them with a personalised report on business leads in Holland and Spain.

Added Richard: “Eric has been incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, offering practical advice and has been on hand to help whenever we’ve needed assistance.

“The SYITC has helped us reach much broader horizons than we thought possible. We view them as very much being part of our business.”

The company has also developed contacts in the USA and South Africa. Marsden has applied for further TESS funding to launch a series of new products in these growing overseas markets and are also planning to use OMIS again to explore further business opportunities.

The SYITC’s Eric Holland said: “I’m thrilled that Marsden have achieved so much and established the ground for further successes. Their experiences demonstrate how the services we can access can make a significant difference to a business.”