New partnership formed to boost UK exports to North America
A business partnership has been formed to help improve how UK companies can access North American markets.
The new partnership has been formed by overseas trade specialist Chamber International and Resolve, a 12-strong team of export specialists, sales agents, business advisers and marketeers, based in North Yorkshire and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Resolve, founded in 2006 by managing director Mark Ashton, offers a wide spectrum of services including bespoke market research, matchmaking with partners, fund raising and export grant applications; developing export strategies, and operational and administrative support, including business incubator services.
Resolve’s main US-based business partner is honorary British consul in North Carolina, Michael Teden, who has worked in the US for almost 40 years and runs his own business providing support to UK companies in the US.
Mark Ashton, based in Skipton, said: “Chamber International is an ideal partner for us, highly professional and well-respected with a large network and database of UK companies to which they can market our North American capabilities.
“Together we can offer bespoke support services with outstanding value for money, healthy independence and objectivity, direct market access via our trusted relationships in North America and, crucially, the ability to minimise the risks and enhance the benefits.
“The US is the UK’s largest national market and we are the biggest foreign direct investor in the US economy, but most Americans have no idea that many of their household name companies are British or owned by British parent companies.”
Ashton added: “Many UK companies have come a cropper in the US by seriously underestimating the challenges and pitfalls. The 50 states have different regulations, sales tax regimes and investment incentives. There is also a surprisingly bureaucratic federal government with a national set of agencies, regulations, tax regimes, and a complex immigration system which can cause overseas businesses major headaches.
“It makes good sense for UK companies wishing to trade there to have in-depth preparation and specialist support and we look forward to providing this alongside Chamber International.”
In the last 12 months, Resolve has advised six Yorkshire-based companies on US market entry, two of which were introduced by Chamber International.
Based in Bradford, Chamber International offers a wide range of export advice, trade services and overseas networks, to provide support to businesses targeting international markets.
Tim Bailey, Chamber International director, said: “Our enquiries from businesses wishing to target the US are rising. The US is set to become a far more significant market post-Brexit but it is a vast and hugely complex nation.
“Regardless of any future trade deals, partnering with a like-minded, dynamic and entrepreneurial organisation such as Resolve here and in Charlotte strengthens our support and contacts considerably to help businesses approach the US with greater knowledge and reduced risks.”
