Crosslee PLC

A company based in Hipperholme, West Yorkshire, is tapping into a lucrative overseas market with a range of stylish hostess trolleys.

Crosslee plc is well known for its manufacture of tumble driers but since the mid-nineties the company has been developing sales with its wide variety of hostess trolleys all manufactured locally. Now UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is working with the company to expand overseas sales.

Suzanne Hothersall, commercial director, said: “The hostess trolley has made a big comeback on the home entertaining scene. Ours are available in a range of finishes from elegant wood veneers to brushed stainless steel and will compliment every kind of décor. This means that the trolleys blend in beautifully with other home furnishings, as while the technology remains the same, the finishes have greatly improved since the 70s and 80s.

“The trolleys take the strain out of entertaining as they allow you to pre-prepare food while keeping it between the 70 and 90 degrees required to prevent food spoiling and without compromising the quality of the food.

“Together with UKTI we have been using the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) to explore a series of opportunities for overseas sales. OMIS provides quality business reports on specific markets and gives you a good idea of the potential for your products there. The information provided in the reports includes a number of business leads, which means your company can make an informed decision as to how to forward their export development.”

Crosslee is now having a huge amount of success with its trolleys in the Middle East where the observance of Ramadan makes the trolleys an invaluable asset. Being able to provide pre-prepared hot food quickly after a long period of fasting is convenient and time-saving and the demand for the trolleys keeps growing. The company’s latest export figures showed that over 85% of sales were to the Middle East.

Suzanne added: “OMIS and the Yorkshire Forward Targeted Export Support Scheme have been great tools to have at our disposal when developing our plans for international trade. We have also benefited from the High Growth Markets Programme. This is how UKTI introduced us to market specialists in countries like Brazil, Russia and Saudi Arabia. As market experts the advisers are often able to identify possibilities for your product in some of these markets and suggest how to strategise your approach for best results. Access to this kind of specialist information helps you to stay ahead in the globalisation game.”

Brian Aungiers, UKTI international trade adviser in West Yorkshire, said: “For some time now we have been working with Crosslee to develop its international sales and it’s especially rewarding to see the success the company has been experiencing in the Middle East. The High Growth Markets Programme is open to selected firms with the potential to enter one or more of the high growth markets. These companies may not yet be active in the markets or they may be active but with significant room for expansion. Together with the OMIS service the High Growth Markets Programme is helping Yorkshire firms like Crosslee explore the global possibilities for their products and services.”

For further information on the company please visit www.crosslee.co.uk.