Member Article

Northumberland tree exporter records £275k Middle Eastern order

Berwick-based Treelocate, which exports artificial plants and trees to the leisure and hospitality sector, has completed a £275k tropical tree order for the Middle East.

Recently exporting 17 seven metre olive trees for the 7* Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain, the company is reaping the rewards of having a Middle Eastern division.

Established in a small barn by brothers Mark and Jonny Nesbitt in 1995 after they bought a consignment of artificial trees from Asia, the business has grown to employ 40 people.

Treelocate is now a £4m turnover business which manufactures products from large scale, bespoke flower arrangements to handmade trees and shrubs, from a four acre site.

To help cope with increased demand from the Middle East, four years ago the firm set up a Dubai office with six people based there and it also has an agent in Mongolia who specialises in shopping centre contracts using their service.

Mark said: “We initially worked with interior landscapers and supplied quite simple products for offices where live trees would have struggled to survive.

“Our customer base then expanded to include a huge range of outlets such as garden centres, USA theme parks and supermarkets.

“The Chamber has been a great support to us right from the outset. They helped us ensure we had all our ducks lined up so gave us confidence payment would come in at the right time for our contracts.”

Brian Dakers, International Trade Manager, NECC added: “Tree Locate is a really innovative business which flies the flag for our region. We help them send their products safely and cost-effectively to some of the world’s most spectacular places.

“Our advice has supported them in getting benefit from EU Free Trade Agreements, enabling the business to price competitively using originating materials and passing on financial benefits to customers in a range of markets with which the EU has preferential arrangements.”