Case studies

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADVICE FOR TOP FURNITURE FIRM

Chalon, based in Hambridge, makes exclusive furniture which is exported all over the world including kitchens, bathrooms, tables and chairs and freestanding furniture.

The firm requested advice on protecting its intellectual property (IP) and was visited by Dave Morgan, an IP specialist at EEN South West.

Sarah Picton, head of business development at Chalon, said:  “We were looking for advice in protecting our trademark and designs and EEN South West provided the valuable support and strategic advice we needed.

“We have seen constant infringement of our products and we were keen to protect our hard work.
“Our customer base is now extending overseas and includes parts of Europe and clients in the Middle East so brand protection is vital.”

In addition to its Hambridge manufacturing base, Chalon has showrooms in Tunbridge Wells, Edinburgh, Harrogate, London and St Albans – with Knutsford due to open soon employing around 90 staff in total. The firm was started in 1981 by the Chalon brothers, who began designing furniture emulating the style of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Their styling was complemented by a unique paint effect designed to provide a distressed finish as if each piece had naturally aged in an English country house.  The company counts actors, media presenters and international sport stars among its clientele and is on course for turnover in excess of £5 million in 2010

In April 2010, Chalon announced a deal to sell its goods in New Zealand and Australia. It struck a deal with Colin Wright Associates, a newly established trade agent with offices in Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, offering a sales service across the Asia Pacific region.

Dave Morgan, who provides free IP advice and information to businesses on behalf of EEN South West, said: “When I visited Chalon, I found a very robust company which needed some help with trademark issues. “I found they were very, very receptive to advice - we were able to help with trade mark and design registration and copyright issues. “I was very pleased that we were also able to identify alternative routes to market for their products.”

Dave put Chalon in touch with a registered trademark attorney who will advise the firm on protecting its distinctive range of furniture designs.

Hilary Charman, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade & Investment, said: "Chalon are one of my Passport to Export clients, UKTI's comprehensive programme for beginner exporters. The Enterprise Europe Network has a range of services which complement the work that UKTI does for clients including providing advice on the management of intellectual property. For this reason I called upon them to provide Chalon with specific, tailored, and practical IP strategy advice, which proved invaluable."

For further information, please contact Enterprise Europe Network South West on 01275 370 817