Ronseal

Exporting “Exactly what it says on the tin”

The company famous for coining the catchphrase “it does exactly what it says on the tin” is now working with UKTI to spread the message to markets overseas.

Ronseal’s catchphrase - the byword for no-nonsense quality – has helped South Yorkshire company capture a large share of the British market for its wood finishes, wood care products and specialist paints.

Now with the help of export services provided by UKTI and South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) the company is on track to win over DIYers worldwide.

Says Peter Buckley, International Sales Director: “For some time now we have been looking to expand our export activity and it makes sense to take advantage of the export services on our doorstep. At SYITC we’ve had access to their excellent research facilities and we’ve also had some valuable help from the international trade advisors about funding support from UKTI and Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme or TESS.”

Duncan Slater, one of UKTI’s international trade advisers based at SYITChas been working with Ronseal to identify the right kind of export services, including the TESS funding, which recently helped the company attend an international trade fair in Germany where a number of valuable new contacts were made.

Slater said: “The latest TESS funding is part of an ongoing programme that is helping the company develop contacts and target potential customers in several European countries. We’re also looking at the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), which gives companies an on-the-ground report on business opportunities in any given market overseas.  These reports are compiled by UKTI staff based at the embassies and consulates overseas and they can provide strong business leads even to experienced exporters.”

With just under 250 employees at its plant in Sheffield, Ronseal began its export programme back in the mid-nineties. Since then it has steadily built its distributor base, so that it now sells to over half of theleading Western and Eastern European markets, as well as to markets in the Middle East and Far East.

Buckley added: “Behind our highly successful marketing campaign we’ve got a strong range of products at Ronseal which we know will stand up in any market. Just like our advertising slogan our approach to international trade is the most simple and direct and that’s why UKTI is the most logical starting point for advice and support in our overseas trade activity.”

Slater commented: “UKTI offers help and support for all companies large and small that are actively engaged in planning or developing international trade. “

We’re here to enhance the export activity of a large and successful company such as Ronseal as well as help newcomers into their first overseas markets.”

www.ronseal.co.uk   Contact at UKTI: Duncan Slater on 0114 201 2579   Email: dslater@syitc.com

Editor, Trade Yorkshire magazine