Loughborough stationery and illustrated paper goods firm, Ohh Deer, has seen a 500% boost in its orders from US partner Papyrus during the last Calendar year, with support within the Department for International Trade.
The business supplies illustrated handmade cards, stationery, clothes and homeware, put together by handpicked artists and illustrators, and recently worked alongside Mr Men and Battersea Cats and dogs Where you can create two bespoke product ranges. The firm, that produces as much of the products as it can be in great britan, in addition has collaborated with retail giants ASOS and concrete Outfitters.
From their humble beginnings working with a relative’s attic, Ohh Deer have recently opened two stores in Loughborough and Ipswich – the founders’ hometowns and counts companies Selfridges and John Lewis amongst its customers. The business’ HQ, has since moved to The Rushes, Loughborough, and employs 22 permanent staff, which doubles during peak seasons.
To reap the benefits of the requirement for its products internationally, Ohh Deer turned to the Department for International Trade (DIT) for advice on how you can navigate customs regulations and paperwork requirements in countries it had been exporting to at last.
The company has since seen significant success in the united states, with Papyrus, a prominent Western stationery and handmade card retailer, increasing its order volume by 500% within the last year. Papyrus operates over 450 stores throughout the US and Canada.
Mark Callaby, Founder, Ohh Deer, said: “It’s vital for our business to carry on to diversify and grow, gaining more market share in order to prevent any unpredictable variations in the retail sector.
“DIT provided us with start-up advice while in the beginning and has now since provided us funding to visit various international trade fairs in the usa. These have helped us make new contacts and benefit from other businesses in addition to their experiences.
“Almost all of the countries we export to speak English, which contains made our exporting journey much less daunting, but accountant los angeles specific challenges we’ve faced. Such as, every country has their own personal differing paperwork requirements. DIT was a great help in understanding this the united states by supplying advice and support within the logistics of customs.
“There are lots of opportunity to invest with international partners that businesses, like us, aren’t aware of. But, together with the support of DIT after doing a bit of online survey in potential target markets we discovered the quirkiness in our products was really a unique feature. Whenever we can export successfully, when using the right guidance and support, so can other businesses from the Midlands.”
Ian Harrison, Head of Exports for that Midlands along at the Department for International Trade, said: “We’re pleased to see Ohh Deer’s continued success in overseas markets and appear toward working alongside them since they increasing.
“British firms use a strong trading relationship using the US, and Ohh Deer is an excellent instance of an organization who has made by far the most with the demand made by this economy. It is important businesses identify suitable partners and know market and regulatory requirements home well, which Ohh Deer has been doing effectively.
“You will find there’s team of specialist advisers on to the floor while in the East Midlands, that are on hand to back up budding firms since they look for start or build its exports.”
