Case Studies
Don't just take our word for it. The Language Networks across the UK have helped hundreds of companies across the UK to develop or fine-tune their foreign language and cultural strategies. Below, businesses that have profited from understanding foreign languages and cultures share their experiences.
Retail / Distribution
Bambino Mio (Northampton)
(68 kb pdf document)
Bambino Mio is a specialist producer of cotton nappies and
associated products. Founded in 1996 by Guy Schanschieff, the company has grown quickly and has a current turnover of £3m; the company plans to increase this to £10m by 2006, when around half of its sales are expected to be from countries outside the United Kingdom.
Calder Originals (Buckfast, Devon)
Nick Comer-Calder founded Calder Originals in 2003 to make hand crafted carrying cases for treasured musical instruments and laptops. When the company planned to target overseas markets, RLN SW supported Nick in translating his website and marketing materials.
Classic Motos (Leicester)
(103 kb pdf document)
Suppliers of classic motorcycle parts based in Leicester, Classic Motos have used their languages skills to boost sales in France by 30%.
Conway Stewart & Co. Ltd.
(Plymouth)
Conway Stewart, the long established manufacturer of luxury pens, aspired to be able to speak with international customers in their own language over the phone.
Cuddledry (Somerset)
Cuddledry is an award winning Somerset firm that found national acclaim for its unique, quality, organic baby bath towels. With early advice from UKTI and RLN SW, the company founders have been able to make export decisions sooner rather later and with greater confidence, knowing their approach to global markets was the right one.
Evans Vanodine (Eccles, Lancashire)
(286 kb pdf document)
Vanodine is a family-owned business that today supplies a wide range of customers manufacturing chemicals for the janitorial, food processing and livestock markets. Until 20 years ago the company
essentially concentrated all its efforts on supplying the domestic UK market with very little emphasis on export drives or the development of new international markets.
John Lewis (Solihull, West Midlands)
John Lewis's Solihull branch is improving its service to deaf customers by training many of its partners in British Sign Language.
(Case study opens on RLN West Midlands website)
National Clearance Centre (Amesbury, Wiltshire)
The National Clearance Centre, run by Foray Motor Group, offers more than 25,000 different brand new parts and accessories for older Ford vehicles from its depot in Wiltshire. The Centre has been in the German market since its launch in 2005 and committed to UKT&I Passport to Export training to develop its export market further.
Northern Edge International Ltd (London)
(70 kb pdf)
Northern Edge's approach illustrates some of the ways in which a small business can overcome the obstacle of limited resources to gain access to the language and cultural expertise needed to make a reality of their vision for international success.
Pineapple Park (Hitchin, Herts)
With a turnover of over £1 million and a staff of 30, Hitchin-based greeting card publishers Pineapple Park sells into a number of international markets, including Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Israel, Canada and Australia. The company also imports from a French publisher and has recently imported its first licensed range, featuring Winnie the Pooh.
(Case study opens on RLN East website)
RTR (Gateshead)
The Gateshead-based company is the UK subsidiary of German-based RTR Handelsgesellschaft. The company supplies tubes, pipes and forgings to the power industry.
(Case study opens on RLN North East website)
TOFFS (Tyneside)
A blockbusting German film celebrating the country's World Cup win nearly half a century ago means big business for Team Valley-based TOFFS - (The Old Fashioned Football Shirt Company).
(Case study opens on RLN North East website)
VW Heritage (Henfield, East Sussex)
(73 kb pdf document)
VW Heritage specialises in supplying spare parts to VW enthusiasts eager to keep their pride and joy, classic fun machines in tip-top condition and ahead of the game.
World Duty Free (London)
(67 kb pdf document)
World Duty Free, BAA's tax and duty free retailer, has 1,850 employees in its 65 stores, with 1,000 in 30 outlets at Heathrow alone. Its challenge is to manage a business which engages passengers and enhances their experience, while maximising the commercial opportunities available.
Xtralite (Blyth)
With a turnover of £6 million, Xtralite is the UK's leading roof glazing specialist. The company's products range from skylights for small offices to custom-made products for railway stations. Its roof lights and canopies are used for projects in both the public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, and leisure.
(Case study opens on RLN North East website)
