International business manager at UK-based supplements specialist Viridian Nutrition, Sally Ann Marsh, has been recognised as a Midlands Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade (DIT).
The company has also recently secured two export contracts with Sweden and Kenya, and sights are now set on Portugal.
Established in 1999, the Daventry-based company produces a range of more than 200n speciality health supplements including vitamins, minerals, herbs and more. The business exports to countries from Iceland and South Africa, to Ireland and Kuwait, and is now exporting to more than 26 countries in all.
And the results are substantial, with 35% of the business’s turnover in 2018 attributed to exports. The company says demand is is particularly high in markets where there is no free national health service and where the demand for nutritional supplements in preventative care is seen as important, such as Ireland, Italy and South Africa.
The DIT says estimates of vitamins from the UK to non-EU countries totalled £28.79 million in 2018, a 4.3% rise from £27.61 million in 2017, with the scope for demand is set to increase.
Commenting on Viridian’s approach to exports, Marsh said: “In the UK, our primary distribution is through specialist health food stores, where we provide extensive training programmes to support guided purchase in-store. Overseas, the market is a mix of health stores, pharmacies and doctors – finding the right distributor who understands the local requirements is essential.
“The Department for International Trade has the resources to help you succeed with a huge network of trade advisors around the world. Our specialist advisor continues to be a key part of our exporting success, keeping us fully informed of trade priorities that might affect our business as well reducing any anxieties over trading with specific countries.”
Viriidian’s managing director, Cheryl Thallon, added: “My advice to others considering exporting is to be bold. It’s important to have a plan, but don’t think you’ll ever be prepared for all eventualities. You often learn more from mistakes than from successes.”
Picture: Viridian Nutrition’s international business manager, Sally Ann Marsh (left), with managing director, Cheryl Thallon