Selby company secures 2022 Queens Award for Enterprise for International Trade for Outstanding Shot Term Growth
Semperfli’s Ann Kitchener (left), Gary Barnes (USA) and Andy Kitchener (right) at the International Fly Tackle Dealers Show in 2022 .
Semperfli fly tying materials has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. The Selby, North Yorkshire company employs 21 people and has been producing its synthetic fly tying materials since 2010.
Fly fishing is a worldwide sport and the art of fly tying which accompanies it has a thriving community, and Semperfli produces threads, wires, yarns plus other dedicated textiles and fibres designed specifically for the fly fishing market. It has 80 international ambassadors who demonstrate and promote its products at exhibitions, shops and across social media.
Operating to serve only the trade, it has developed developed a virtually unbreakable tying thread called Nano Silk and Classic Waxed Thread. The uses of these threads extend outside fly tying and into the film, theatre and medical world, and the company now has partners throughout Europe and Scandinavia, South Africa and the Americas, and from New Zealand to Japan.
Ann Kitchener CEO said; “To win the award in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is amazing news in such a special year for the UK. We are focussed on extending and expanding further our product range and successes in the fly tying market.” Recently, USA has shown huge growth for the company.
Export
To win a Queen’s Award for International Trade a company must export over £100,000. Semperfli overseas sales grew by 240% in the three-year period with key markets including the United States, Canada, Scandinavia and France. The company wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Pro team
Andy Kitchener, strategic director responsible for research and development said; “The Pro Team of ambassadors are vital for our success. They not only show our products but are crucial to our R&D providing assistance in developing products and feedback worldwide.”
Ann Kitchener added, “We are immensely proud. With our four cornerstones of Innovation, Quality, Customer Service and Passion we have managed to generate international trade accounting for over 92.65% of the company turnover.”
Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.