Novaglaze

Exports on an upward curve

A Huddersfield glass company found that an export support programme opened a window on overseas business opportunities they had been waiting to explore.

Novaglaze had already a made a name for itself in the UK with its unique glass bending skills when it signed up to UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export programme in 2003. The Passport programme is designed to help new and novice exporters into overseas markets.

Featured on stunning architectural designed buildings and enhancing interior design, Novaglass curved glass has all the hallmarks of a product with potential in overseas markets. While the company was aware of the opportunities, how to go about identifying those markets and approaching them was another matter.

Says Gary Smith, Marketing Consultant: ”Business Link West Yorkshire put us on to their international trade team and we signed up to the Passport programme. This highlighted all aspects of the exporting process including some of the pitfalls that inexperienced exporters can easily fall into. We learned that exporting is like starting up a new business and that you need to consider it from every possible angle, some of which you’ve never even thought about!”

Passport also supported Novaglaze in attending the Glass Processing and Technology Exhibition (GP&T) an international trade show held in Birmingham where the company made key contacts that led to business contracts in Europe.

Adds Gary Smith: “The international trade team at the Business Link also did an invaluable market screening exercise on our behalf. This pinpointed the overseas markets where we were most likely to have success. Now we are ready to start looking further afield than Europe and we are considering taking part in an overseas exhibition.”

The company has just returned from their second successful GP&T Exhibition, where they displayed their glass bending capabilities with an eye-catching sail boat constructed entirely of glass. The stand attracted 150 visitors and generated purchase orders including one for a contemporary church altar.

Says Brian Aungiers, international trade adviser: “We look forward to supporting Novaglaze in the future with whatever schemes are most appropriate to help develop its business overseas.”