Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) met a government minister last week, with a view to increasing government backing for current and aspiring exporters.
The meeting took place at German trade show Ambiente, which ran from February 10 to February 14 in Frankfurt.
As part of Ambiente’s ‘Country Partner’ initiative with the UK, BHETA housewares director Will Jones met Mark Garnier, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Richard Joseph, co-founder of housewares supplier Joseph Joseph, also attended the get-together as an example of a successful exporter with experience of both the challenges and the potential of overseas trading.
The encounter addressed the fact that many UK suppliers still need encouraging to take their first exporting steps and that, as part of this, they need to be able to network freely with locally-based DIT advisors.
With BHETA able to supply a full list of regional DIT contacts, the trade association is well positioned as a conduit for export business development.
BHETA was also able to put a strong case for grant funding to be continued as part of The Tradeshow Access Programme, which provides investment for eligible businesses to attend overseas trade shows. BHETA has facilitated 35 grants for Ambiente alone at £1,500 per company.
BHETA said this initiative helps beneficiaries to gain market knowledge, experience in attending and getting the most from overseas trade shows, and advice and support from trade experts.
The meeting also explored the potential for exhibitors at London trade shows Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical to engage with the increasing numbers of international visitors who will be present at the show.
Exclusively Housewares is an annual fair which features 145 suppliers and distributors in the UK housewares industry. It takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington every June.
Aimed at all types of housewares retailers, Exclusively Housewares says it represents the largest number of housewares brands and suppliers brought together under one roof for any trade show in the UK. It has been running since 2002.
In 2015, sister trade show Exclusively Electrical was launched to run alongside Exclusively Housewares. It focuses entirely on small kitchen and domestic appliances.
Exclusively Housewares is owned and organised by Brooke House Exhibitions, a subsidiary of BHETA.
Will Jones commented: “This was a really positive meeting, which not only highlighted the need for continued Government support but also positioned BHETA as the ideal trade body to facilitate it.”
For more information about BHETA and its networking and retail engagement events, contact wj@bheta.co.uk, pg@bheta.co.uk or nab@bheta.co.uk or contact the Member Services team on 0121 237
l-r: Will Jones, Mark Garnier, Richard Joseph
