Urdd centenary marked in a special way by fast-growing prosthetics company LIMB-Art

Denbighshire-based LIMB-Art has created a prosthetic leg cover to celebrate 100 years of the Urdd in Wales.

The patriotic leg cover was designed by Sean Mason and LIMB-art founder Mark Williams, and was unveiled at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire.

LIMB-Art was founded in 2018 by former paralympic swimmer and medallist Mark Williams and his wife Rachel. The company was born out of an overwhelming desire to help other prosthetic users raise their confidence, be proud of what they have and very simply, but equally importantly, have fun showing off while doing so.

Mr Williams explained what inspired the special Urdd edition leg cover:

“As the only Welsh language youth movement in Wales, the Urdd has a very special place in my heart. As a child I competed in many Eisteddfods and have very fond memories of those days.

“As a company based near Denbigh, we overlook the Mr Urdd sign on the mountain and all our team are fluent Welsh speakers. Clearly, with such strong links to the Urdd, we couldn’t let the 100-year anniversary pass without designing and manufacturing a tribute leg cover, which we have been working hard to develop over the last few months.”

LIMB-Art has been supported through the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). The AGP provides targeted support for ambitious growing firms. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The firm has been supported with marketing, sales and PR through the programme, which Mr Williams says has been invaluable:

“The support we have received through the Accelerated Growth Programme has helped us really spread the word about our products all over the world. This has enabled us to access new export markets and strike partnerships with distributors, which now accounts for more than 25% of our annual turnover.”
 

Mr Williams explained that his company was born out of frustration at the lack of options available to people requiring prosthetic limbs and limb covers:

“Historically, disabled products have been focussed entirely on function with very or no thought given to aesthetics. If you go to IKEA to pick a cool chair for your kitchen you have a plethora of designs and funky colours to choose from. But when it comes to specialist equipment for those living with disabilities, far less thought is given to design and look. As an amputee myself, I found that uninspiring brown and cream were often the only “choice” available.

“LIMB-Art was born not as a business, but as a response to my own lack of confidence and body image issues around my prosthetic leg. A chance remark from a 4-year-old boy that my leg looked cool inspired me to turn what started as a bit of fun into a serious business venture. Today I am proud to run the world’s coolest prosthetic leg cover supplier, with our products available everywhere from the NHS in the UK to Queensland in Australia.”

Mr Williams continued to explain that there are exciting times ahead for the company, with new leg cover designs in the pipeline:

“We’re so pleased with our Urdd special edition leg cover design. Judging by the amount of attention we had at the Eisteddfod, our special limb cover really captured imaginations.

“We’re now working on a special Wales football-themed cover to celebrate our qualification at the World Cup. The message from us is clear - there’s never been a better time to be a proudly Welsh amputee!”
 

To find out more about LIMB-Art, visit here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme

Fast-growing firm eyes further expansion with bespoke customs clearance service.

Freight Systems Express Wales (FSEW) launches a hassle-free customs clearance service to help businesses navigate the post-Brexit import and export landscape.

Cardiff-based international freight forwarders, Freight Systems Express Wales (FSEW), has launched a full customs clearance service to help businesses struggling with post-Brexit import and export rules.

FSEW is a logistics and international freight forwarding company based at Freightliner in Wentloog, Cardiff. Currently employing approximately 70 people, the company provides transport services to clients in the UK, Europe, and worldwide.

 Research by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 60% of exporters face difficulties adapting to the changes to goods trade following the ratification of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in January 2021. When asked about the specific difficulties businesses faced, commonly cited concerns included increased administration, costs, delays, and confusion about what rules to follow.

In response, FSEW has launched a comprehensive in-house clearance service to simplify the customs journey for businesses importing to and from the UK. The new service is being spearheaded by customs brokerage specialist Basak Ocal, who has almost two decades' experience in international customs. Supported by customs clearance specialist Vivian Tapenska, the team will be offering a fully managed customs service to all clients, removing the stress and delays associated with additional paperwork required under Brexit rules.

The FSEW team with one of the company’s new all-electric trucks.

Ms Ocal explained:

"Customs clearance can be daunting, especially in the ever-changing import and export landscape of a post-Brexit UK. Our new customs clearance services offer easy, automated customs clearance, backed by personal service from real people who look after the filing of customs declarations. Our electronic customs clearance is handled by a professional, dedicated and reliable team who can offer a personalised focus on each client's specific business needs.

"Our hassle-free customs clearance service means we complete all the important export and import paperwork and all other necessary customs information. Clients simply need to provide us with their documents, and we then collate all the necessary details for a customs clearance declaration submission. Clients benefit from working with one point of contact, and the peace of mind that their goods will be delivered on time, wherever they are coming from or need to go in the world."

FSEW, which counts Tesco, Hoover Candy and Ford amongst its customers, saw sales increase by 10% to £15.5m in 2021 and forecasts a further 14% growth during 2022. A previous winner of the Wales Fast Growth 50 and Tesco Collaborative Haulier of the Year awards, the firm also has ambitious plans to develop the first eFreight hub in Europe, which will help drive low carbon transition across the commercial freight industry.

FSEW Managing Director, Geoff Tomlinson, said: 

"As Wales' leading privately-owned freight forwarding company, we are keen to support our customers in navigating the confusing post-Brexit customs landscape. Businesses big and small are dealing with the same Brexit customs challenges. Our new service will benefit everyone from big companies with daily customs handling needs to SMEs new to import and export. The idea is to take the stress away and make the customs journey much easier, so business leaders can focus on more important things, such as the growth of their business. We are already seeing a huge interest in this service, and we predict it will become a significant and growing part of our revenue over the next 12 months."

FSEW has been assisted by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provides targeted support for ambitious growing firms. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

 

To learn more about FSEW, visit here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.

How the Business Wales AGP has helped an exciting new fashion brand with the founder's heritage at its heart

"The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has supported us so much on our business journey."

For Haitham Shamsan, his business encompasses all he is passionate about - design, culture and responsibility.

These have formed the essence of his new fashion brand, Double Crossed – a Cardiff-based company with big ambitions.

Double Crossed has been supported through the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). The AGP provides targeted support for ambitious growing firms. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Here Haitham Shamsan gives some insight into his journey so far and the motivations driving him to business success.

Tell us about Double Crossed?

I guess it makes sense to talk a bit about myself first. My background as a graphic designer has informed the evolution of the business.

As a graphic designer, I've used my skills and expertise to build a clothing brand that aims to take Eastern culture's history and legacy and fuse it with modern, western fashion.

We're based in Cardiff, and we want to be truly global, manufacturing the products in Portugal and assembling them here before exporting them globally.

As a designer, I know the importance of brand identity, so I searched for clothing that represented important values to me, such as sustainability and respect for culture. Unfortunately, I found very few options out there; many brands tend to lean on the image of urban and eastern culture but don't represent or give back to those communities. I wanted to change that.

I launched Double Crossed to create modern clothing that embodies a sense of heritage that would also give back to communities. And we are going to do this through profit-sharing NFTs, charitable donations and campaigning and supporting positive action initiatives. You can check us out on Instagram @designerhks and follow all the latest developments!

What are your proudest moments in business so far?

We're in our early days as a business, but a recent photo shoot for the brand saw us working with 16 influencers and five photographers. It brought the vision I have for Double Crossed to life. Seeing the progression of the business is something I am incredibly proud of.

What challenges have you faced in business?

The business faced several barriers, with COVID causing delays in supply chains. Fortunately, through careful planning and preparedness, I overcame setbacks and have plans to grow the business.

If you were starting again, what would you do differently?

We're still early in the Double Crossed journey, but I think the planning that went into the business meant I've been as prepared as possible. So in that sense, I don't think I could or should have done anything differently. It's all about enjoying the journey!

How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?

We've been really well supported by Business Wales AGP – particularly with access to financial advice and planning. We'll be receiving PR support as we look to promote the collaboration of cultures through our modern fashion brand. This support has been so important as we are a young business. As an entrepreneur just beginning my journey of leading a company, I've been keen to access all the expertise I can find! The Accelerated Growth Programme has been integral to connecting me with experts and helping me find my way.

What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting out?

• First, focus on your branding – your image is always working, and your branding will be your identity to the world.

• Make the audience the core of that branding – your audience is the foundation of your business.

To learn more about Double Crossed, visit here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.