International Trade: Internet offers new route to export
THE internet is changing the way companies expand into new overseas markets, according to Premier Farnell’s Rob Rospedzihowski.
Leeds-based Premier Farnell is one of the region’s most successful international traders with operations in 36 countries and global sales of £973.1m.
But there are still markets the company has yet to explore and it has altered its approach for the digital age.
““We would go into a country, find a building and a general manager and then invest in that area but with the onset of the web, now we don’t invest in bricks and mortar but very heavily in websites and translation and using local country ambassadors, such as local supplier relationships, as we grow into Asia and parts of South America,” says Mr Rospedzihowski, the company’s commercial sales director.
The opportunities and challenges of trading around the world are considered in more detail in a new supplement on international trade from TheBusinessDesk.com in partnership with DLA Piper and RSM Tenon.
Despite the global nature of its business, Premier Farnell still sees value in its UK links.
“As we go into new market territory people are familiar with the brand and there is credibility around being a UK company, with a sense of value and integrity – that does help us immensely,” says Mr Rospedzihowski.
