Warwickshire beer exporter brews up for growth in Asia

A WARWICKSHIRE export company is raising a toast to a faulty air conditioning unit that led to a lucrative new arm to the business.

Nick Hansen runs Warwick-based One Source, which began life as a telecoms company and has now branched out into exporting craft beers and ciders to China, Macau, Hong Kong and Japan through sister company, UK to Asia.

Such is the success of the company’s ale exports, it is developing an international trade apprentice to assist with the growth.

But none of it would have been possible without a piece of entrepreneurial opportunism from Mr Hansen.

He said: “I was over in Hong Kong about five years ago on telecoms business. It was a really hot day and we were in a high-rise building for our final meeting of the day when the air conditioning packed in.

“We decided to finish the meeting off in the pub to escape the heat and there was only one English beer available – it was in a can and, to be honest, it wasn’t the best.

“A lightbulb flicked on inside my head and we set about exporting some of the wonderful craft beers and ciders we have in this country – especially this region – and we are up to around £250,000 a year now in terms of export sales.

“We act as an agent for the breweries and we probably export the largest number of beer brands to the Far East now.”

The firm is now in talks to start exporting to Japan, a move that could propel the business to a whole new level.

“The products we offer are at the luxury end of the market and there is a lot of disposable income in the Far East,” added Mr Hansen.

The firm has been assisted by the Department for International Trade team in Coventry and is now working with the training division of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Paris Calder joined the company around a year ago as an international trade and logistics apprentice and she is helping to process orders and develop new contacts.

She said: “I am really enjoying it. I didn’t think college was right for me but I didn’t really know the types of jobs that were out there.

“Chamber Training put this opportunity my way and I am so happy they did because not only am I learning new skills and gaining qualifications, I am also earning at the same time.

“I only turned 18 recently – so for the first time I am actually able to sample the products that we are selling overseas.”

Ajay Desai, head of the international trade team in Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “This is a great example of a company diversifying in their own bid to Go For Growth.

“Overseas trade is vital for the economy of the region and equipping more young people with the skills to help us export is crucial. That’s why it’s great that Chamber Training can now offer the apprenticeship in international trade and logistics, which is one of the first of its kind in the country.”

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