US deals boost sales by 200% for Belper firm

Belper protective wear business, Armadillo Merino®, says it has increased sales in the US by 200% after winning contracts with US police departments in Washington, Houston, Chicago and Salt Lake City with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).

The business designs and manufactures next-to-skin protective clothing for police, firefighters, soldiers and other professionals working in high-risk environments. It regularly supplies special forces, NASA astronauts and elite police and fire rescue units.

The new contracts were secured after DIT supported the business with funding to attend the two-day National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Conference and Trade Show in Arizona last year – the largest law enforcement conference globally. The business met buyers from across the US and has since been working with local agents and DIT representatives on the ground.

Made from the wool of Merino sheep, the clothing is designed to withstand heat and flames up to 570˚C and was inspired and was inspired by founder Andy Caughey watching images of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with avoidable burns and injuries from the clothes they were wearing.

The new contracts follow a number of prestigious award wins this summer. The business was commended with a Board of Trade Award presented by Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade. The business also secured £2,000 as part of the Heathrow World of Opportunity Award to fund its attendance on a variety of trade missions.

Since starting out in 2011, the business now exports to 36 countries including Japan, Germany and Italy, with overseas sales totalling 60% of its annual turnover.

Caughey said: “Our sole purpose is to make clothing that is genuinely effective, whether for someone fighting local crime, fire or international war. We have invested a lot in research and development over the years to make our garments the best they can be in the base layer category, and it is rewarding to be getting recognition from around the world.

“The Department for International Trade has been incredibly supportive as we have turned our commercial priorities to the US over the last 18 months. North America is already one of our top export markets, but we knew we had barely scratched the surface of opportunities available to us over there. Our International Trade Adviser’s recommendation to attend the NTOA trade show has been a big step in the right direction and we’re confident this export win is the first of many as we continue to build relationships with buyers across the pond. It goes to show that if we can, you can too.”

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “I was delighted to present Armadillo Merino with a Board of Trade Award earlier this year, recognising the business’s excellence in international trade. This latest success in the US is testament to its exporting ambitions.

“The demand for British goods and services continues to grow, and our homegrown businesses should be tapping into this global appetite. My international economic department has a team based here in the East Midlands to support aspiring businesses identify new exporting opportunities, and I’d urge those looking to take their first steps to get in touch.”

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