Teesside instrument maker strikes global chord

A Teesside firm specialising in musical instruments is playing to a worldwide audience after tapping into a regional export support programme designed to help firms sell overseas.

Geneva Musical Instruments, based in Billingham, has secured £46,000 through the Tees Valley Export Fund, using the support to strengthen its online presence and reach new global markets. 

The specialist maker of handmade brass and woodwind instruments invested in website improvements to remove language barriers for international customers.

Within weeks of the changes going live, the business recorded £46,000 in direct online sales, with orders coming from countries including Norway, Belgium, Japan and South Korea. 

Funding also enabled the company to attend a major trade exhibition in Switzerland, one of the world’s key markets for brass instruments.

Vincent Eckerman, executive director at Geneva Instruments, said: “Export sales are vital to our growth, representing 75 per cent of our overall sales in 2024. 

“The website redevelopment removed French and German language barriers, allowing us to successfully sell across the Swiss cantons – one of our most important markets for brass musical instruments.”

The success comes as a further £200,000 remains available through the Tees Valley Export Fund, with applications reopening on January 13. 

The scheme offers grants of £,000 to £10,000 to support activities such as overseas trade fairs, market research, website adaptation and export consultancy, with funding available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “It’s brilliant to see a Teesside company doing so well on the international stage – and yielding such impressive results at pace on the back of this programme. 

“Getting our firms more opportunities to access worldwide markets is what this is all about.

“It helps them grow and, ultimately, puts more money into our economy and into the pockets of local people.

“I hope we have more of our companies grasping this opportunity and following in the footsteps of Geneva Instruments.”

Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke, who is also the Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member for inward investment and finance, added: “This is the kind of return we want to see from public investment. 

“By offering practical support to help our businesses grow, they reach new markets and bring money back here.

“Geneva Instruments is a perfect example of how targeted funding can unlock global opportunities. 

“With further grants still available, I’d urge businesses of all sizes to come forward and make the most of this programme.”

To apply for funding from the Tees Valley Export Fund, click here.

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