Severn Lamb are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of light urban, leisure and resort transport. Our product range includes trains, trams, trolleys, road trains, as well as individually customised one off vehicles/projects. Clients include theme parks, leisure parks and visitor attractions, resorts and municipalities as well as private enthusiasts. We specialise in offering a high quality tailor made product to meet our clients precise technical and commercial requirements.
When did Severn Lamb begin trading, and how soon after did you think about global opportunities?
Severn Lamb was founded by my grandfather Peter Severn Lamb in 1947 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Initially in out buildings at the back of the family hotel it focussed on model making. In 1958 the business was incorporated and moved to purpose-built premises. Two years later, in 1960, Severn Lamb accepted its first export orders for the Smithsonian Washington. In 1975 Peter passed away and Michael Severn Lamb took office through to 2004 when he retired. It was during these years that Severn Lamb really propelled itself onto the global stage winning the Queens Award for Export in 1995. Having grown up with Severn Lamb performing on the international stage, attending international exhibitions, winning international business, it was natural that when I became involved in 2004 that it should continue. In fact Severn Lamb, given its relatively specialist core market relied, and continues, to rely on global opportunities. We are not stronger in one global marketplace than another and as we did in 1960 will still travel anywhere to deliver our products and services.
When did you deliver your first international project, and what support did you need to realise your ambitions?
One of my personal first export contracts was to a Middle Eastern country. It was a government project managed through the Civil Aviation Authority although funded by a Turkish entity. Although having completed export projects before they were relatively straight forward in comparison. We were dealing with heavily resourced departments with an extremely high degree of import/export experience and a high level of bureaucracy and in this case the support of our bank was invaluable. Our banks international trade team helped us understand the requirements and supported us in negotiating terms that would ultimately ensure we were paid in full with relative ease when political instability in the country of destination began.
How many international projects have you delivered; and do you have one that particularly resonates?
95% of our projects are export. We have delivered to over 50 countries. During the past couple of years countries have included China, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Oman, Mexico. They all carry their own nuances and now we expect the unexpected although from time to time we are still surprised by some of the quirks that present themselves. We have concluded deals with private entities as well as government departments, some of which have taken years to finalise the contract, and a couple which took only days. We have exported by road, rail, air and sea and one occasion air freighted a complete train to Mexico at the client’s request. It’s this extent of diversity which keeps things interesting and certainly never boring.
What advice would you give to companies who are considering exporting for the first time?
There is an exciting market outside of the UK and one that has allowed us to thrive. Given the extent of the diversity of countries and cultures its important to do your research, talk to other companies that export to the same country, talk to the DIT, reach out to the international trade department of your bank all of which will help you adapt to ensure success in the international market place. In our experience specific areas that have helped us were to revise our contracts of sale for international business purposes including changing our payment terms to better suit the arms length nature of the sale and to understand and embrace the local culture.
How is the uncertainty around Brexit affecting your business?
After the initial impact of the weakening of the pound following the Brexit vote to date the impending exit from Europe hasn’t affected us. We have reviewed what we can do to prepare but the uncertainties mean even that is difficult as the future is so unknown. We envisage that the single biggest impact for us, given our level of import and export, will be future trading agreements. For today we concentrate on delivering our existing projects and working towards closing new ones while keeping one eye on the Brexit outcome allowing us to react as required as and when necessary.
Patrick Lamb, Managing Director
Severn Lamb
Tel: 44 (0)1789 400140
Email: patrick.lamb@severn-lamb.com
