Marmalade of London lights up North America

Marmalade of London, a Cheltenham-based home fragrance and candle manufacturer, is set to double its turnover after winning a distribution contract in the US and Canada following visits to the countries, with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Established in 2012, the company operates across three manufacturing sites in Cheltenham. It currently supplies over 500 UK retailers which include Fenwick, Blenheim Palace, House of Bruar and Squires Garden Centres. 

Marmalade of London started working with DIT in 2017 when it was looking to launch its product line in North America. The business successfully applied for a grant to enable them to visit Canada and exhibit at NY NOW this year, a leading trade show for home, lifestyle, and gift products. 

During the visit to Canada, the company met 100 potential buyers, distributors and influencers. It secured its first two significant international contracts worth US$1m and CAN$250,000, to supply products across the New York tri-state area and through Canadian distributors Pebble Cove Ltd. 

Pebble Cove Ltd has already placed a selection of Marmalade of London’s products with retailers including Luckett Vineyard and makeup and skincare boutique Be Gorgeous, both in Nova Scotia.

These new contracts will double the firm’s annual turnover in the next 12 months and 10 new members of staff will be hired over the year to keep up with the growing demand. 

Following its success in Canada and the US the business has set its sights on exporting to the Middle East, India and China. 

Piers Flook, Founder and CEO at Marmalade of London, said:

“From the wick to the wax, our candles are 100% British-made. This has helped us enormously when launching our products abroad as the reputation and quality of British products is so strong. Our range has been so popular that our first container of exports were all pre-sold while still on the water to Canada. We are busily loading further shipping containers for Canada and the US and have had to set up a warehouse operation in New Jersey to cope with future growth. 

“The launch in Nova Scotia and NY NOW mark a new chapter for us and our business as the contracts we secure are likely to double our sales. The costs involved with exhibiting at trade shows can often be prohibitive for small privately-owned businesses like ours, but DIT was able to provide match grant funding support and export training to help us get the most out of the trips.

“For businesses looking to export, I’d recommend contacting DIT in the first instance. The advice they give can lead to valuable overseas opportunities. If we can do it, so can many other local firms.” 

Paul Shand, DIT’s Head of South West, said:

“The demand for British-made goods in North America is growing at a rapid pace and it’s encouraging to see Cheltenham-based businesses like Marmalade of London tapping into this growing trend. 

“South West exports totalled more than £20.7 billion in 2017, which highlights the many opportunities for local businesses. For companies that are looking to get their products to overseas markets, we have 25 trade advisers across the region who can offer a range of support to help local firms start or increase exporting.”