A NURSERY products firm based in Huddersfield stole the plaudits at a major industry trade fair.
Colnebridge-based Mamas & Papas used the Kind & Jugend trade fair in Cologne, Germany, to launch its latest products and finalise a string of export deals.
Mamas & Papas, headed by Luisa and David Scacchetti, unveiled 14 new products – including its Mylo pushchair, which proved to be the star of the show and represents the result of a £3m three-year research and development programme.
The pushchair is the first large-scale product to emerge from the company’s five-year product development plan following a £20m investment in research, design and development.
Commercial director Tim Maule reported a five-fold increase in visitors to the company’s stand at Cologne compared with previous years.
Mamas & Papas also used the event to finalise a flurry of international export and distribution deals supplying nine countries through six distribution partners – providing the brand with direct routes to markets in Chile, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Mr Maule said: “This year’s Kind & Jugend trade fair has been the most successful in the brand’s long history.
“Our strategy to move profits into a long-term investment plan before the economic downturn is what is now powering our global success during a time when most brands are unable to bring ‘newness’ to the market.
“We are at the forefront of design in the UK and are now able to represent ourselves internationally with globally focused products for the next generation of parents.”
Mr Maule said: “Our mantra of investing in talent, investing in manufacture and investing in our international commercial channels to market means we can lead the baby goods industry globally and secure jobs in the UK.
“Our ambition to be the world’s favourite nursery brand is now well under way!”
Earlier this year, Mamas & Papas was voted “the brand to watch” in the Sunday Times Fast Track Top 100 Private Companies.
Mamas & Papas has hit the headlines by wooing celebrity customers, including Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stefani, Jessica Alba, Minnie Driver and Nicole Kidman.
The firm has 52 stores across the world and distributes in a further 36 countries, including Spain, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Australia and New Zealand.
