CWLEP Growth Hub Helps Warwickshire Business to Navigate EU-Exit

EU Exit International Trading Advice case study

Heather Golding is the managing director and founding director of TonyG, an award-winning creative production house working primarily with designers and retailers on cutting-edge bespoke projects ranging from window displays to 3D animation from its studio and workshop in Kineton, Warwickshire.

The Challenge

Towards the end of January 2021, the business realised they needed help with their exporting following the UK’s exit from the EU to one of their main clients which has European retail stores.

Despite their intensive research over the last two years, TonyG was having problems with its usual dispatch network with only 15 of its 50 orders arriving, with the rest being held up for a variety of reasons in different countries.

The Solution

Heather contacted the CWLEP Growth Hub for help and Account Manager, Jim Clark, responded immediately and introduced her to James Ahearne, Export Academy Team Leader from the Department for International Trade.

Heather said: “We had a meeting with James and it was like a light bulb had switched on. As soon as he heard our story, he knew that we would be struggling because of the huge variety of goods we send to different territories, all with different issues attached.

“James introduced us to Kevin Hall from Wright Hassall and he was brilliant too. We had a free consultation and he explained everything clearly.

“There were a number of routes we could go to ease goods into the member states, meaning fewer hold-ups and a more consistent response from the customs departments concerned.”

The Result

TonyG applied for a European EORI number as well as registering for VAT in some of the countries  to which it sends  goods, costing just under £1,000 each time and squeezing its profit margins.

Heather has also had a meeting with transport and logistics expert David Hooper to tap into his knowledge of EU legislation and importing.

She said: “David created new levels of revelation regarding information that we didn’t previously know.

“We now have a better picture of what we need to do, and we have a plan. At the moment, we can continue with all our work and, providing goods continue to get through the system with no delay, there should be no immediate threat.

“Having access to information and a plan going forward has been a great relief, despite the fact it has been expensive because of having to register for VAT in multiple countries.

“We have been able to speak to experts when we didn’t know the answers and being able to have that level of support has been incredible.

“Some people are in business through having a great product or service and very few of us were prepared for the complexity of EU trading, post exit. The Growth Hub has supported us by being so well connected and all of the people to whom they have signposted us have been immensely helpful.”

Jim Clark added: “Our EU Exit workshops, events and website that we launched in collaboration with Growth Hubs in the West Midlands and the Department for International Trade have proved really beneficial to over 15,000 businesses across the region.

“TonyG is a perfect example of the kind of business that had prepared for Brexit but when it happened, obstacles were thrown up which they weren’t expecting.

“Being able to act as a conduit with sector experts in various fields has proved really beneficial to Heather and her team and it is great that they can now see a positive way forward.”

Further information is available at www.wmgrowthhubs-eusupport.co.uk

Caption: Heather Golding from TonyG with Jim Clark from the CWLEP Growth Hub