Business of the Year Awards: Spotlight on stars of International Trade
This year’s Business of the Year Awards will shine a spotlight on companies flying the flag for the South West on the international stage.
TheBusinessDesk.com’s International Trade Award will recognise international trade success – whether entering new markets or achieving significant growth in existing countries.
Last year’s winner, Reid Bikes, competed against Lanes Health and Tailfin.
Poole-based Reid Bikes’ mission is ‘to make cycling and emobility accessible to all’. They do this by designing and manufacturing bikes and eBikes for international distribution under their own brand; Reid, as well as for eight private label product clients ranging from UK PLCs to direct to consumer brands in the US and UK and Australia’s largest bike specialty retail chain.
James Reid started Reid Cycles in Melbourne in 2009 with the aim to be Australia’s best value bike brand, by selling factory direct to consumers. In February 2012, Rob Akam, joined James on his journey and helped to quickly grow the business domestically.
By late 2013, Reid Bikes had grown to operate stores in the top four cities by population in Australia, as well as having a strong eCommerce and social media presence. In June 2014 Reid moved back to the UK, and founded Reid Bikes Ltd to start selling the brand internationally on an FOB trade basis. In the 10 years since, Reid has grown to be distributed in over 30 countries worldwide including USA, Mexico, UK, Dubai, China, Australia and sold through over 750 retailers.
In 2016 Reid also took on their first private label products (PLP) client, who they still design and manufacture for to this day, along with seven other brands. This is now the largest part of the Reid Group, eclipsing the volume of Reid branded sales.
Supported by headline partners accountancy group PwC, law firm Michelmores and Partners&, the awards boast a rigorous judging process, with all companies entering visited by members of the judging panel.
There are 14 categories in total, designed to recognise and celebrate the whole range of businesses in the region, from exporters and innovators to those placing sustainability at their core.
Businesses going the extra mile to make a positive impact on their local community and those with exceptional reputations as good employers will also be championed.
Shortlisted companies will then on be invited to pitch, with the winners revealed at a high-profile black-tie awards evening on 13 November at the Harbour Hotel in Bristol.
The awards are free, simple and quick to enter – click here to visit the Business of the Awards website. The deadline for entries is Friday 2 May.
