British companies who returned from an international garden and leisure trade show in Germany are providing firm evidence that despite the economic downturn in many countries, there are valuable overseas orders to be won by those firms that take a tenacious approach to exporting.

The Spoga Gafa fair in Cologne has been one of the main events on the Gardenex export federation's events list for the past 36 years and has resulted in new export orders for innumerable British companies. 2008 was no exception with companies such as Barbeskew, Bosmere, Burgon & Ball, Earthmaker, EverEdge, Haxnicks, Parasene, Solus, Tansun and Town & Country and many more already reporting on successes following the September exhibition.

Barbeskew was well pleased having achieved firm orders for over 250 of its charcoal-fuelled hands-free barbecues for customers in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria and Greece.

Bosmere exhibited over 100 new garden care items and has reports that as a result of the show it has received a new order from Switzerland, a promised order from France for door mats from an existing customer, plus possible new listings with its Italian mail order company. Interest in new listings was received from three German mail order companies and a firm order was received from its Australian distributor for a container-load of garden care products.

Burgon & Ball launched new tools and a 'Grow Your Own' range and was impressed with the diversity of the buyers visiting its stand from countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Russia, and Romania. The buyers represented garden centre chains, independent garden centres, mail order companies, distributors and agents. The company received firm orders at the show and returned to the UK with a healthy level of enquiries.

Earthmaker's home composter system attracted attention from 60 potential new customers from throughout Europe and the company reports that follow-up response to date has been good. EverEdge has already shipped a pallet load of EverEdge steel edging systems as a trial order to a garden centre in Germany as a result of the show. The company is also in discussion with potential customers in Greece, Norway, Israel and the USA since initial talks were opened in Cologne, and noticed a market increase in interest from Scandinavian countries and the Baltic States at this year's show.

Haxnicks reported that business at the fair was brisk and that interest in the company's new product development was keen, with German and French buyers attracted to the UK's 'Grow your own' trend and the new developments to Haxnicks' range of Patio Planters. Good orders for the new range of Glass Bell Jars and jute products were taken during the show from new and existing customers in Europe.

Parasene experienced interest for its specialised garden products from potential new customers from many markets, some from countries that the export-conscious company is not currently supplying. The show also provided Parasene with the opportunity to introduce its new products to existing export customers and expects this to result in future additional business. Parasene's self-watering Upside Down Tomato Planter attracted particular attention from overseas buyers.

Solus described the visitors' account base as fantastic and met with buyers from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Rep, Poland, Russia, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden. Two of the new contacts are due to visit the Solus showrooms in the UK and the company is anticipating increased volume of business as a result. The most interest was shown in the Solus range of Old English heritage traditional range of tools.

Tansun launched its Sorrento IP patio heaters at Spoga Gafa which attracted a great deal of interest particularly from Eastern Europe and the Baltic states. Firm orders were taken for the new heaters, and Tansun is expecting to appoint new overseas distributors during the next few months as a result of exhibiting at the show.

Town & Country used the show to launch new Wellington boots, weather clocks and barbecues to the export market and as a result expects significant increase in sales to both existing and new export markets.

Amanda Sizer Barrett, the director general of Gardenex, commented: “Seeking sales in a broad base of overseas markets makes sound business sense as UK companies face increasing challenging trading conditions. Many of the British companies that participated in the Government funded exhibition group at Spoga Gafa have proved that sales to new overseas markets are achievable and can be reached in a cost-effective way”.

A group of British exhibitors also took part in the IFEX/GARDEX fair in Tokyo at the end of October, and there are still a few spaces on the Meet the Buyer day being organised by Gardenex and its sister division, PetQuip on 12 November.

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For further information on the British exhibitors or Gardenex, the trade association that works on behalf of British companies to help them increase sales worldwide, telephone: +44 (0) 44 1959 565995 or fax: +44 (0) 1959 565885 Email: info@gardenex.com or visit the Gardenex website on www.gardenex.com

Peter Evers 01543 491496 news@internationalgardening.com