Teesside Musical Instrument Company Sees Global Sales Soar With £200k of Grants Still Available For Firms

A Teesside-based musical instrument business has benefited to the tune of £46,000 and expanded its international reach with the help of a popular export programme.

A further £200,000-worth of grants and support is still available for businesses through the Tees Valley Export Fund – with a new round of applications open from 13 January (Tuesday).

Geneva Musical Instruments, based in Billingham, sells top-quality handmade brass and woodwind instruments to some of the finest musicians in the world.

Funding through the programme allowed the company to improve its website to ensure language barriers were eliminated for customers looking to buy online from overseas.

In just a few weeks, the website changes saw the firm record £46,000 in direct sales online – far exceeding sales during the previous period – with customers from Norway, Belgium, South Korea, Japan and South Asia.

The programme also allowed the firm to attend a major exhibition in Switzerland – home to one of the largest markets for brass instruments in the world.

Vincent Eckerman, Executive Director at Geneva Instruments, said the sales on the back of the improvements had been very encouraging.

He added: “Export sales are vital to our growth, representing 75% of our overall sales in 2024. 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 export programme provides grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 to help Tees Valley businesses start or expand their export activities.

It can cover support for attending overseas trade fairs to commissioning market research, adapting websites for new markets, or help with export-related consultancy and legal advice – as well as much more.

The scheme’s early progress saw the Combined Authority increase the funding available and open bids to all businesses – not just SMEs – during the second round of the programme late last year.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen 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.”

The programme’s aim is to boost the number of our region’s firms involved in exporting as well as increase both the range and value of exports from companies already trading internationally.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who is also TVCA Cabinet Member for Inward Investment and Finance, added: “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 of between £3,000 and £10,000 are available with businesses required to fund 25% of the total project cost themselves.

All funded activity is to be delivered by 31 August 2026, and grants are available 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 (DBT).

To apply, go to: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/export-fund