£46k helps Billingham firm grow global instrument sales

Geneva Musical Instruments, based in Billingham, specialises in high-quality handmade brass and woodwind instruments and has recorded strong export success thanks to support from the Tees Valley Export Fund.

The company used the funding to upgrade its website, removing language barriers for overseas customers and opening new markets.

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

Geneva Musical Instruments, a Billingham-based maker of premium brass and woodwind instruments, has received £46,000 from the Tees Valley Export Fund, helping the North East business expand its international reach and boost export success (Image: Supplied)

“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 website improvements led to £46,000 in direct online sales within weeks, with orders coming from Norway, Belgium, South Korea, Japan, and South Asia.

The funding also enabled Geneva Instruments to attend a major exhibition in Switzerland, one of the world’s largest markets for brass instruments.

The Tees Valley Export Fund offers grants of up to £10,000 to help businesses across the region begin or expand their export activities.

Eligible businesses can use the funds for everything from attending overseas trade fairs to commissioning market research, adapting websites, or obtaining export-related consultancy and legal advice.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: “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.”

A total of £200,000 in support is still available through the fund, with the latest round of applications now open.

The scheme aims to increase the number of Tees Valley firms exporting, while also boosting the variety and value of exports from those already trading internationally.

Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough mayor and TVCA cabinet member for inward investment and finance, said: “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.”

Revenue grants from the fund range between £3,000 and £10,000, with businesses required to contribute 25 per cent of the total project cost.

All funded activities must be completed by August 31, 2026.

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade.