Nikwax ® Waterproofing gains the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise, International Trade 2004
Nikwax ® Waterproofing, based in Wadhurst, East Sussex (UK) has been awarded the prestigious accolade of The Queen's Award for Enterprise, International Trade 2004 .
With nearly 63 % of its turnover, supplying some of the world's leading outdoor manufacturing companies, the company is fast expanding with a network of 36 export partners which have distributorships and sell Nikwax ® products to retail markets. The UK Head Office acts as a distributor for the domestic market.
The use of language in its business has enabled Nikwax ® to export to 41 countries, the most recent markets being Singapore, Korea and Mainland China. The Company's unique language and cultural strategy has seen export sales grow by over 69% in the last five years along with the development of seven new export distributorships. North America currently represents 39% of the Nikwax ® export market and Western Europe represents 29% with exceptional growth coming from France, Spain and Switzerland. The Pacific Rim is showing signs of growth along with Japan, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia with new markets developing in South Africa, Brazil, Trinidad and Israel.
Since its formation in 1976, Nikwax ® Waterproofing has become one of the world's leading aftercare manufacturers for clothing, footwear and equipment, supplying products to outdoor sport and leisure markets. Nikwax ® 's cleaning and waterproofing solutions are an industry standard for maintaining fabric performance and durability in the most extreme weather conditions. High levels of investment in research and development has resulted in a range of new product areas based on the ethos of EASIER (easy to use and apply) SAFER (non-toxic and environmentally safe) and DRIER (improved performance and durability). Nikwax ® products can be applied simply and easily in a washing machine to revive outdoor and wet weather clothing so you never have to suffer from getting wet in the rain. Not only will Nikwax ® protect you and keep you dry, it will restore and maintain your gear to ‘as new' condition, whether its leather footwear, down-filled jackets, fleeces, rucksacks or sleeping bags – there's a product for every activity!
Nick Brown, founder of Nikwax ® commented, “I am delighted by this Award, our third Queen's Award gained since 1996 although this is our first for Enterprise. Nikwax ® first started when I created a wax to waterproof my leather boots and never dreamed then that it would grow into such a large business.” Nick went on to say, “Nikwax ® is about conserving and making the most of your activity clothing, footwear and equipment. Our products renew rather than replace and I calculated recently that without the invention of Nikwax ® WaterBased products, our customers would have been spraying an extra 500 tonnes of petrochemical solvent into the air annually! Three things link Nikwax ® and our customers globally - a deep appreciation for the countryside and the environment; the wish to be active outdoors in any kind of leisure or sport activity; and the desire to stay dry, comfortable and safe in wild and exciting locations.”
Nikwax ® has succeeded because the company has invested in people, time and in building close relationships with retailers and distributors. The excellent work achieved in recent years by both the UK and Export Team working to develop local and regional promotional initiatives has resulted in Nikwax ® maintaining stability within its domestic and export markets.
Corine Aitouares, Export Manager at Nikwax ® , explains, “Our market is a world-wide market and our sales reflect that because of our Language Policy. The market for waterproofing clothing, footwear and equipment is international.” Corine went on to say, “We recognise that understanding different cultures, customs and traditions will improve our relationships with distributors, retailers and consumers.”
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