Member Article

Exporting hosiery firm championed by UKTI

Bolton-based hosiery company, Drew Brady, has been championed by the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) as a export leader in the North West.

UKTI’s Regional Director for the North West, Clive Drinkwater visited the firm on Wednesday to mark Export Week and highlight the business’ achievements in providing goods across Europe, Canada and America.

Drew Brady began life in the 1950s as a yarn trading company, and since became the founder member of the Ruia Group’s hosiery unit during the 1980s when they started importing socks to the UK.

With offices in Canada and agents based in Germany and France, the company now sells branded goods such as Pringle, Elle, Kickers and Jeep internationally.

UKTI’s visit to the firm was part of a campaign to increase British exports and add approximately £36bn to the economy.

Mr Drinkwater met staff to talk about the “Export Champions” scheme, which recruits British exporters to offer help and support other companies that hope to increase their revenues by selling overseas.

Peer-to-peer advice will be provided through the initiative, and the UKTI North West team will also offer tailored professional services to businesses with export aspirations.

Shane Doughty, Buying Director at Drew Brady said: “The importance of exporting in our business cannot be overestimated.

“We source our products from overseas and then sell them all over the world from our headquarters and distribution centres in Greater Manchester, and we are currently working with UKTI to explore new markets including South America, Australia and New Zealand.

“We are delighted to be achieving such success globally and are pleased to be Export Champions for UKTI North West to encourage other firms to expand their horizons.”

Mr Drinkwater added: “Our inaugural Export Champions are all businesses who will inspire and motivate those new to international trade, both by promoting the benefits of export via their own successes and by sharing knowledge and experience for the benefit of other firms in the North West.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .