Tuesday, April 13, 2010

INDUSTRY NEWS: Natracare Wins Prestigious International Trade SME Award

Natracare is the winner of the SME Award at the International Trade Awards 2010. The awards recognize excellence in importing, exporting and international trade. Natracare is a producer of organic and environmentally-friendly feminine hygiene products.

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NATRACARE WINS PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL TRADE SME AWARD

Natracare (Bodywise (UK) Ltd) has been announced winner of the SME Award at the International Trade Awards 2010, sponsored by HSBC Commercial Banking. The awards recognize excellence in importing, exporting and international trade.

Specialist producers of organic and environmentally-friendly feminine hygiene brand Natracare, Bodywise fought off stiff competition to win the national award. The firm was honored at a formal presentation at the House of Lords, London, U.K attended by Julie Meyer, founder and CEO of Ariadne Capital and online Dragon from BBC’s Dragon’s Den, and hosted by Lord Haskel, Deputy Speaker of the Lords.

Started by entrepreneur Susie Hewson in 1989 with no investors, Bodywise has thrived into the global marketplace, taking on and beating sizeable international competitors. It has developed the Natracare line – biodegradable feminine hygiene products that contain only organic ingredients from ecologically reliable producers – into a worldwide brand champion for natural products with a low environmental impact.

Stuart Nivison, Head of Trade and Supply Chain, Europe, said: “We are delighted to see Bodywise gaining recognition for its exceptional international trading activity. The scale of overseas growth achieved by Bodywise, whilst competing against some of the biggest players in the market, is outstanding. This success has come above all from the clear commitment, vision and passion of the founding management team.

"HSBC has been specializing in international trade since 1865 and is working harder in this area than ever to help companies succeed overseas.

In 2009 we launched a joint initiative with UKTI to provide a comprehensive programme of training aimed at businesses of all sizes looking to expand their overseas trading activity. We also increased the availability of Trade Finance to companies trading internationally and last year the average level of trade we financed increased by 34%, within which export finance more than doubled. Global trade is what HSBC was founded on and our global network of 8,000 Relationship Managers enables us to help businesses make the most of international opportunities.”

Susie Hewson, founder and owner of Bodywise (UK) Ltd - Natracare, said: “We feel very proud to have won this HSBC International Trade award as it demonstrates to us that we are perceived by our peers to be significantly contributing to the growth of the British economy and to its industrial reputation overseas. Governments of all colours have noted of late that it is the value and courage of SME’s which will help to bring employment to our youth and aid economic recovery. We are honored to be running our business successfully, according to sustainable and ethical principles, and in taking the Natracare brand to the world markets, contributing to the increasing good will for British Industries abroad.”

Ian Campbell OBE, who chaired the judges, added: “Hard work, long hours and an unwavering commitment to organic, ethical and sustainable principles have taken their unique range of organic and natural feminine hygiene products to global markets. A combination of excellent product research and development and a young, committed management team should ensure their continuing global success."

Now in its third year, the International Trade Awards are the only UK wide business awards exclusively for exporters and importers and acknowledge and celebrate the success achieved by UK companies of all sizes trading internationally. Companies from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales involved in import, export, outward investment or inward investment, competed in 12 regional heats.

SOURCE: Natracare Press Release

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