Breakfast networking firm cracks US

A Black Country firm operating a chain of B2B networking clubs is expanding across North America with help from UK Trade & Investment.

Business over breakfast or BoB Clubs, established in Warley, 2003 by Managing Director Geoff Cox, create networking environments for companies of all sizes with exchange referrals atfortnightly breakfastevents.

In the UK, there are currently 63 BoB Clubs, which are managed by a team of about 40 area co-ordinators and regional directors. Realising the international potential of the business, three years ago the company turned to UKTI for help in developing an export strategy and completed the Passport to Export programme for new exporters.

Geoff said: "We particularly appreciated the help from our international trade adviser, Joy Heatley. Joy is always very enthusiastic about our business and has been a fantastic source of advice and information. In addition, she helped us access financial support from UKTI to visit Canada and the USA.During this visit, I met a number of potential partners and this led to us forming a joint venture with a Canadian company to cover the whole of North America under a licensing agreement.

UKTI international trade adviser Joy Heatley, based at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "Business over Breakfast is an innovative approach to an established concept that is attracting attention from business communities throughout the UK and further afield. Geoff meticulously researched the potential of BoB Clubs prior to establishing them in Canada and America and we are now discussing routes into other overseas markets.

For more information about how UK Trade & Investment can help your business expand into new markets abroad, contact the international trade team at Black Country Chamber of Commerce on 845 002 1234 845 002 12340845 002 1234.