Family business exporting showcase
Family businesses going global Thousands of UK family businesses either export or trade internationally. But many thousands more don’t. For some, it’s simply not their business model. Others feel held back by challenges such as access to finance or logistics support. One of FBUK’s key asks of government in our Budget submission is to ensure export support and finance is better targeted to support family firms looking to take their first steps or grown their export business. During Family Business Week we held webinars and roundtables with government ministers, UK Export Finance, our Corporate Partner NatWest and Members, all designed for businesses to take those steps to international growth. Across the UK’s business landscape 11.5% of firms export their goods or services, selling to more than 200 countries in trade worth £838 billion. But it’s clear there are opportunities for growth. In these pages you can read comments from the UK’s Trade Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, and our Corporate Partner NatWest on supporting businesses on their international growth journey Here we showcase three FBUK Members trading internationally, sharing the tips and lessons they have picked up on their export journey. You
can read their stories in full, and those of other FBUK Members on our website by scanning the QR code below:
outstanding performance in overseas markets. Key export markets : Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
Healeys Cyder Farm
Healeys is arguably best known for producing Rattler Cider – named after the Cornish Rattler apple. The company exploded onto the international market – literally! Having sourced plastic kegs to ship Rattler to Thailand, the heat in the ship caused the kegs to explode. Just one of the lessons Managing Director Joe Healey has learned along the way. Key export markets : Finland, Germany, Denmark, Thailand and other emerging markets across Europe and Asia.
Walker’s Shortbread A Scottish success story, Walker’s sells directly to around 80 countries and subsequently distributes to many more. It is rumoured that Walker’s shortbread is even available in North Korea! The company’s overseas success almost floundered at the first hurdle when, in the 1970s, Sir Jim and Marjorie Walker set off for their first international trade show. The family car was packed with shortbread only to get stuck in snow just five miles from the bakery in Speyside! Key export markets : Around 80 countries, notably Japan, the United States, Switzerland and France.
The Config Team Founded by husband and wife team Andrew and Carolyn Moses in 1990, the Config Team is a tech company specialising in the supply of SAP supply chain software.
The company was awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2025 for
FBUK Issue 5 18
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