A Harrogate-based company that designs and manufacturers pods for luxury camping has secured its first overseas deal with a campsite operator in the Netherlands.
Anthropods designs a range of ‘micro-dwellings’ that can be fitted out for many uses, ranging from camping and glamping to home offices, and are even robust enough to be used in disaster relief scenarios. After launching less than a year ago, the company has now secured its first international deal to install its pods at Camping Vreehorst, a 12-hectare campsite in Winterswijk, Netherlands.
Anthropods is being supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT) as it looks to sell more pods in Europe and further afield, with a focus on working with campsites and festivals. The business is currently in discussions to provide pop-up hotel-style accommodation in Seville alongside new customers in Bali. It is also set to further grow sales in the Netherlands after building relationships with other campsite operators in recent months.
Rik Currie, designer and founder of Anthropods, said: “More than four million people camped out on sites across the Netherlands last year and the growing popularity of the ‘staycation’ across Europe can only be good news for us in the future.
“Selling to sites overseas that have longer camping seasons means we can not only grow our customer base, but also extend our sales period, making our business model that much more sustainable.
“Our DIT International Trade Adviser has been particularly helpful. We’ve received information on our target markets, particularly in and around The Hague, and have been introduced to a range of extremely useful contacts. It’s not only helped us gain a better understanding of the market in the Netherlands but also boosted our confidence when approaching other new markets.
“It’s early days in our exporting journey, but we’re confident that the work we’re putting in, alongside DIT’s support, will result in future overseas orders. If a company from Harrogate can take its ideas and designs to an international audience, others can too.”
Mark Robson, head of region (Yorkshire and the Humber) at DIT, said: “Anthropods is a prime example of a business in Yorkshire that sees exporting as a fundamental element of growing their business. Shipping large products can come with its logistical barriers, but we’re on hand to advise on the best ways to overcome these and other challenges to help businesses sell successfully abroad.
“In 2018, companies from across Yorkshire and the Humber exported £18.1bn of goods overseas. From design and manufacturing companies to food and drink firms, I’d encourage anyone thinking of exporting to get in touch with us now and see how their business could benefit.”
Companies looking for support should call 0300 365 1000 or email [email protected]. They can also visit great.gov.uk, which has information on live export opportunities and includes general information on exporting and events.
