Devon family business launches websites to drive business in the EU

Outstanding Guild member and Award-winning Devon-based family business, Devon Duvets, is expanding sales into the EU by planning the launch of new websites in mainland Europe. The first of these is a Dutch language website to reach out to customers in the Netherlands.

Dick Beijen, co-owner and co-founder of Devon Duvets (and who was originally a Dutch national) explains: “Over the years, we have occasionally shipped our products to the EU but have recently been receiving a lot more interest from Europe, from those who found our brand and are drawn to our ethos and products. We therefore made the decision to properly expand into the European market – and the first step is our Dutch language website. This is an exciting and very positive development for us in terms of potential sales, and for boosting the awareness of the quality of British products and craftsmanship.”

The Dutch language website went live in mid-May, supported by targeted marketing campaigns and, over the coming months, Devon Duvets is also planning to launch multiple language websites, with all sites being boosted through marketing campaigns in those countries. This means that customers in those countries who are browsing for wool bedding products will be able to explore a Devon Duvets website that’s written in their own language.

Dick Beijen adds: “As I was born in the Netherlands, it made sense to start with a Dutch language website, especially since my friends, family and business contacts in Holland told me that there is definitely a market there for luxurious, natural and sustainable British made products. Wherever we launch in the EU, all our products will continue to be 100% individually handcrafted in our Devon-based workshops, by our experienced seamstresses. This means that our customers in the EU will be able to buy the same high quality Devon Duvets products that our UK customers have been buying and enjoying for nearly two decades.”

The company, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Dick and Pauline Beijen over 17 years ago, has won multiple awards for its 100% British wool soft bedding and also for its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. They support British farming by using fully traceable 100% British wool from local farmers for their products and work closely with British Wool (formerly the British Wool Marketing Board) to ensure the farmers receive an above market price for their fleeces. The company undergoes voluntary ethical auditing by SEDEX to demonstrate their on-going commitment to sustainability in every part of their business – from responsible sourcing through to their day-to-day business operations.