Export success for Cumbrian reflective safety gear manufacturer

A manufacturer of children’s reflective safety gear in Cumbria has set its sights on international growth after expanding into new overseas markets.

Pogu Ltd has only been exporting since last year, but its product range is already available in retail outlets across nine countries, including Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

In Sweden, the firm sold 40k products last year.

The Staveley-based business recently signed deals export to Canada and Taiwan and is now in discussions with retailers in South Korea and elsewhere.

Tiffany Solender, the company’s founder, said Pogu’s export success to date has benefited greatly from support and advice from the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the North West.

She got the idea to develop children’s reflective safety gear one evening in 2014, when a car failed to stop and nearly hit her husband Neil as he steered a pushchair containing their child over a crossing.

The firm launched in 2009 and initially made safety products for the bike and hike market, but now produces reflective safety accessories for the nursery and children’s market, including high-visibility buggy reflectors and armbands for youngsters.

The DIT helped Pogu identify and research the right overseas distributors, supported the company with its exhibitions and research visits and assisted in expanding its product range for export.

Tiffany commented: “Our DIT international trade advisor said we should try exporting to the rest of the world and they’ve been brilliant throughout, with constant support and advice.”

“We make technically leading, robust safety products born out of a desire to protect our family.”

She added: “They are fun, reflective items which give parents peace of mind and keep their children safe when they are picking up the kids at school or pushing a buggy down the road, in low light.”

DIT North West deputy regional director Paul Stowers said: “I’d like to congratulate Pogu on its impressive success in overseas markets and I’m confident that this high-quality and original product will go on to achieve even greater success in further export markets.

“Pogu is a great example of the difference our bespoke help and advice can make to such businesses.”

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