Royal Crown Derby landed an order with the premier Mexico department store, El Palacio, on the back of a tea party hosted at the British Embassy in Mexico City last year.

 

Prospective customers were invited to the event giving Royal Crown Derby

a chance to showcase its range of fine bone china.  In fact, the firm has just confirmed a follow-up order from the store, with a total of three of its uniquely patterned china range now being stocked and taking pride of place in Mexican homes.

 

Export Manager Alison Peverley said:

 

"The current economic climate in the UK means being a successful exporter is even more important than ever.  We are fiercely proud of our British-made credentials, so to participate in such a well themed and typically British event was an excellent opportunity to showcase our brand.

 

"Our advice to other local firms looking at this market is that there is demand in Mexico for quality, British products and there's no better way to sell your product or service than by meeting potential customers face to face.  

 

"Winning these orders in Mexico is an important step for our company, as we want to increase our exports from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of our total sales."

 

Another local firm to benefit from the same embassy team was mobile education specialist Eduteq, from Ashby de la Zouch. It commissioned the trade team at the embassy in Mexico City to conduct valuable research before the company arrived in the country. 

 

Following appointments made by embassy staff, the ideal partner for the company's product, the Smart Science Cart, was found immediately. The Cart is a mobile laboratory for teaching science and ICT and is set to help revolutionise education in Mexico’s remote regions.  The embassy team identified potential buyers and organised the launch held in the British Embassy before an audience of more than 50 key decision makers.

 

MD Stewart Grant said:

 

“Mexico seemed to fit all our criteria on our search for new markets.  It’s geographically huge with a big rural population. The procurement processes are similar to markets we are already experienced in and there is also the possibility of developing manufacturing capacity locally for any new projects.

 

"The embassy did a fantastic job of arranging our launch in Mexico and helping us find a partner. We are confident it'll help lead to orders in the long term"

 

As part of the Mexico delegation earlier this week, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Chancellor George Osborne, Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green and over 25 UK companies, institutions and universities including Diageo, Rolls Royce, Virgin Atlantic and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).  Also travelling are Business Ambassador Tamara Mellon and pottery designer Emma Bridgewater. 

 

Lord Green said:

 

“Almost two hundred years ago, the UK was the number one European exporter to Latin America. British expertise helped to build Mexico’s railways and canals, but UK firms currently account for less than one per cent of Mexico’s imports. We need to turn this performance around in one of the world’s most promising markets.”

 

The UK has made expanding trade with Mexico a priority, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg led a delegation there last year. Mexico is currently the 14^th largest economy in the world and the second largest in Latin America, with a rapidly expanding middle class.

 

UK-Mexico factfile

 

• The population of Mexico is over 112 million.

• The median age in Mexico is 26.

• GDP has been growing at five per cent per year over the last decade (3.9% in 2011).

• Mexico has free trade agreements with 44 countries.

• Mexico has a $226 billion plan to bring its infrastructure into the 21^st century and recently unveiled the world’s second highest bridge across the Baluarte Gorge. At 403 metres, it is higher than the London Shard (310m).

• In 2010, 22.3 million tourists visited Mexico.

·         The UK is Mexico’s 5th largest investor, having invested just over £5 billion since 2000.   

 

• In 2011, UK imports of goods from Mexico were valued at £1.05 billion, led by telecommunications exports (largely mobile phones). The UK’s exports to Mexico last year were worth £952 million.

• There are just under four million Spanish speakers in the UK.

UKTI are organizing a market visit to Mexico in March 2013. For further information please contact Elaine Buxton in our Derby office on 01332 826419 or email Elaine.buxton@uktiem.co.uk