Sambro International Ltd. has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
It is with great honour and pride that we can now officially announce that Sambro has received the 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The award is given to British businesses and other organisations who can show three years of successful growth in international trade.
The King’s Awards are the highest official UK awards for British businesses and are recommended to His Majesty The King by the Prime Minister.
Sambro will now join 7,000 UK enterprises that have received this award since the awards were first created in 1965.
To celebrate this occasion we had a catch up with CEO- Paul Blackaby.
How does it feel to have won The King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade?
“I am beyond proud that our business has achieved such a prestigious honour. The award is a fantastic reflection of the work that the entire Sambro team have put into developing and growing the business over recent years. Whilst we acknowledge that there is always more to do in the fast-paced, exciting and vibrant toy industry, I think the award is strong evidence of how far we have come recently and this is hugely rewarding. “
What made Sambro want to enter The King’s Awards this year?
“Sambro has focussed on developing our strong key licensor partnerships, combined with on-trend licensed new ranges. This coupled with European expansion has led to robust year-on-year growth and an increasing professionalisation across the business making this year the perfect time to aim for such an aspirational award.”
Tell us about Sambro’s people led approach that has led to growth?
“Our people are central to everything we achieve and a core pillar to our business. Our Senior Leadership Team recognise the value that continuous investment in training at all levels, brings to our team members and the business as a whole. We ultimately want a happy, motivated workforce that are engaged in our overall objectives and feel that they have sufficient autonomy to make a positive contribution and lead Sambro towards future growth. We have a huge amount of talent and experience within Sambro and our team have all played a part in our success.”
With the majority of Sambro’s sales coming from overseas, tell us a bit about Sambro’s international trade?
“Sambro has evolved into an international business from its beginning as a UK-based organisation. Some years ago, we saw the untapped potential of Europe and as a result, set up our European sales office and distribution hub in Amsterdam. Whilst the core function and head office remain in Bury, we are dominant in Northern Europe working on a direct to retail model and on EMEA contracts with our key licensing partners. In total, we trade in over 30 countries and have sophisticated processes in place to support specific customer requirements, including extensive knowledge of toy safety standards down to a local level.”
How do your business operations and your ESG strategy impact society, both in the UK and abroad?
“Sambro takes its responsibilities seriously and employs a full-time ESG manager to focus on all aspects of environmental, social and governmental policy. Sambro sets aspirational goals on using renewable sources of energy, carbon footprint reporting and APEX auditing. The creative and buying teams continue to explore ways to improve all aspects of packaging and the product. Our plush contains 100% recycled filling and all cardboard packaging will be FSC certified by next year. Sambro also has longstanding charity partnerships and has a focus on workforce welfare and training.”
What’s coming up for Sambro for the remainder of 2024?
“2024 has already been a stellar year for our recently invested-in new licensed outdoor ranges in market and robust arts and crafts ranges such as PAW Patrol, Disney Stitch and Spidey & His Amazing Friends. To be honest, our focus is already gearing up for SS25, with innovative new products and on-trend licenses already on-show in our Bury and Amsterdam showrooms! Our Gabby’s Dollhouse Puzzle Palzâ„¢ range is already proving a massive hit across all territories!”
Anything else you’d like to say?
“The award is an extraordinary achievement for our business and our team and I cannot thank each of them enough for their individual and collective contributions. I am amazed each day by what this team can achieve when we work constructively and positively together. On a personal note, I consider this one the proudest moments of my career.”
