The natural next step for Mercado Medic AB

With a presence in every other European country, expansion into the UK was the natural and logical next step for Mercado Medic AB - a Dutch-owned company producing, selling and servicing special chairs for people with disabilities.

Founded in Sweden in 1971, Mercado Medic AB was subsequently bought out by Bloemendaal, and whilst still manufacturing in Sweden now has an export office in The Netherlands, together with sales offices in Denmark, Norway, France, Germany and Switzerland, and distribution Europe-wide.

The business plan for UK expansion was already in hand when UK Managing Director Henrik Sellberg was made aware of AWM's Bridge to Growth (BTG) initiative in the West Midlands Region. "We were well on the way to establishing ourselves in the UK before we came across BTG," explained Henrik, "but BTG was a tool to help us get there a bit faster."

Initially, due to familiarity with the area, Henrik was considering the East Midlands as a potential location. However, BTG "made all the difference" and a UK office was opened at Warwick Science Park in early 2008, taking advantage of the BTG free accommodation offer. "The facilities are endless," Henrik enthuses, "and the office environment is brilliant. I like the University environment, and like mixing with academics." The Region was also seen as providing a central location with a dense population: both important positive factors in the decision to establish the UK operation in the West Midlands.

In addition to the free accommodation - offered for 6 months through BTG to inwardly investing companies - Mercado Medic has used the free limited company set-up services of EBS (including administration, accountancy and credit control), and free financial advice from Handelsbanken: all part of the BTG package. Henrik is particularly complimentary about the service from EBS: "They know the answers to all our questions."

The company is now in the process of establishing its customer base in the UK, which will primarily be schools and health services. Exhibiting at NAIDEX at the NEC is just one of the steps the company is taking to make its UK presence better known. "We have a well-renowned brand and a lot of companies know us, but not that we exist in the UK," explained Henrik. If business develops as the company hopes, they are optimistic about maintaining a business base in the UK, and Henrik is adamant that "even if we need larger premises we will stay in the West Midlands."

Interview given by Henrik Sellberg, Managing Director