Fendercovers Worldwide Ltd , a husband and wife team, and with its employees have grown substantially since its 2004 start-up and are now selling its Fendequip range of niche products to the trade and power boat builders in the marine industry worldwide. Fendercovers Worldwide Ltd manufactures ‘fender socks’ used to cover boat bumpers preventing damage to boat for boat boat hulls, suppress noise caused by the fender banging and squeaking against the hull and marine walkways.
Working closely with Brian Cooper, International Trade Adviser based in Somerset, they joined UKTI’s flagship ‘Passport’ programme, which offers tailor-made advice and support to new and fledgling exporters. Through Passport, the company received training in all aspects of exporting.
Crucially, in their first year of trading they had support to attend the Marine Exhibitors Trade Show (METS), in Amsterdam, the key international trade fair for the leisure boating industry. “The exhibition brought us into contact with distributors and Boat Builders from all over the world,” says Lisa. “We made really important contacts there and as a follow-up appointed distributors that led to valuable orders across the world. Most of our contact with customers is done by email or telephone so this event gives us a really unique opportunity to have that face to face contact, which is crucial.” Lisa has just returned from this year’s METS exhibition having appointed new distributors in Norway and Sweden at the show.
Brian Cooper said: “This is a very focused small company and they know what they want to achieve. I am delighted that UKTI, along with support from the BMF, has been able to help them successfully grow their business.”