Village Candle Invests in Growing International Markets
WELLS, Maine, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Returning from a successful trade show presence at the Spring Fair in Birmingham, England, Village Candle has announced two important moves that will extend the brand to new and expanded markets worldwide.
Jeanne Hulit, president of Village Candle, announced that Clive Harper has joined the leadership team as President of International Sales. Harper has a stellar career in growing the fragranced candle market in Europe having worked at Director level within the candle industry for over 30 years. His experience started with Bolsius BV, a major Dutch Candle manufacturer, when he founded Bolsius UK Ltd in 1984. Appreciating the importance of the fragranced candle market, Harper joined Yankee Candle in 1998 and Yankee Candle Europe was launched. Under his leadership and vision, Yankee products were successfully exported directly to 49 countries throughout the world.
"We are excited to have Clive's leadership and vision, to grow Village Candle's international market share based on quality fragrance, product and service. By joining the Village Candle team, Clive will help build Village Candle as the recognized premier fragranced candle brand," said Ms. Hulit.
"In 25 years, Village Candle has grown quietly into a leader in this industry," said Clive Harper, President of International Sales. "The company's quality products and brand recognition will make it a force in international markets and that is why I am excited to be a part of the Village Candle team."
Hulit also announced that Village Candle has reached an agreement with the international shipper Eimskip that will enhance the company's ability to grow the European market by shipping out of the port of Portland, Maine. Hulit reports that the Eimskip relationship will reduce both costs and improve delivery times to reach to European markets.
"We see great potential for growth, both in the countries where Village Candle already has a strong presence as well as in new markets," said Hulit. "Our relationship with Eimskip will make it easier and more cost-effective for buyers in the UK and throughout Europe to do business with us." Village Candle is located in Wells, Maine, less than 40 miles from Eimskip's North American shipping operations in Portland.
Village Candle currently has distribution in 32 countries, with exports accounting for an increasing portion of the company's sales. The United Kingdom is currently Village Candle's top overseas market and one that appears poised for further expansion.
The company's presence at the Spring Fair was supported in part by a STEP grant provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and administered by the Maine International Trade Center (MITC). At the show Village Candle launched its new line of Metallics, which combine opulent color, décor and fragrance, wrapped in shimmering metallic. Spring Fair is the UK's No.1 home and gift show for the retail industry.
Village Candle previously received a STEP grant to explore market opportunities at the Tokyo Gifts Show in September 2017 as the company explores opportunities to expand in Asia. "We are excited about the expanding market for fragranced home décor products worldwide," said Hulit. "We know that 95% of consumers live outside of the U.S. and we are aggressively looking to capture our share of that market."
ABOUT VILLAGE CANDLE
Founded in 1993, Village Candle® is a manufacturer and multichannel retailer of quality fragranced candles, gifts and accessories, based in Wells, Maine. Village Candle® creates fragranced products using the most refined wax, the richest colors, and the finest fragranced oils available. Village Candle creates and brings high quality home fragrance products to market with the intent to inspire through beauty, fragrance and experience. Village Candle products are sold in gift stores, grocery stores and online throughout the U.S., with a growing international presence in over 32 countries.
For more information visit http://www.villagecandle.com.
ABOUT EIMSKIP
Eimskip, based in Iceland, is a leading transportation company in the North Atlantic with connections to international markets and is specialized in worldwide freight forwarding services, with the vision of providing excellence in transportation solutions and services. See www.eimskip.com.
SOURCE Village Candle
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