South Yorkshire Aspire Furniture, which exports 100 beds a week, has been working with the Department for International Trade (DIT) as its targets 50% increase in turnover.

The company makes and sells mattresses and frames to stockists such as Next, Tesco, Wayfair and Dunelm. Founded in 2013, Aspire Furniture took over a 15,000 sq ft factory two years ago after deciding to start manufacturing its own products.

In 2018, the business began working with a DIT international trade adviser after having been contacted by a German distributor who wanted samples of its products.

The business has already secured deals in Germany with a value of £6,000 a month. It is now planning to expand to the Middle East as well as doubling its current sales to the Republic of Ireland with an increase from 100 to 200 beds to a week.

Following its export success, the company will be recruiting another four staff to its five-strong team and it expects its turnover to grow £6m in 2019, a 50% increase.

Paul Murphy, managing director of Aspire Furniture, said: "When we were approached by overseas distributors requesting samples, we turned to DIT for advice as we didn't know how we could send something as big as a bed to another country. With DIT's help we identified the best method of transportation, which meant we could work with new overseas customers and grow the business.

"Our website has also had a big part to play. Our customers check us out there first before approaching us, and we all know first impressions count. We're also now making our site user friendly for the different overseas markets we operate in - updating for different languages and currencies."