BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
On Friday, January 10, 2025, Restrap was visited by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Ed Anderson, and, in a ceremony attended by staff, suppliers, UK sellers and global distributors, the business was presented the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The International Trade Award was bestowed in recognition of Restrap’s outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
During that time, overseas revenue grew by more than 260% alongside a more than three-fold growth in total turnover.
- New markets were established in New Zealand, the United States, South Korea and Malaysia.
- Top overseas revenue comes from Germany, Benelux, France, the United States and Denmark.
The Award Ceremony
The Lord-Lieutenant joined Restrap founder, Nathan Hughes, for a tour of the factory before the ceremony, where he was able to follow our production process, from design and prototyping through to the step-by-step stages of manufacturing, all under one roof in Leeds.
At the ceremony, the Leeds-based business was also joined by some of its overseas distributors, including Triangle (France) and Surbike (Spain), reflecting the award’s focus on international trade and telling the story of how the business has built strong relationships with distribution partners to grow sales globally by 260% in the preceding three years.
Restrap beginnings
With the help of a Prince’s Trust loan in 2010, the business grew from a back bedroom to a small workshop on Aire Street in Leeds, to our current workshop on Kirkstall Road. We now employ 47 people and continue to grow internationally and in the UK.
Today, Restrap is well and widely known for its technical bikepacking and cycle touring gear, and accessories for all kinds of riding. The business has built its name on manufacturing functional, durable, sustainable bags and equipment for travelling by bike, all completely in-house in its Leeds workshop.
About the King’s Award for Enterprise
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards were first established in 1965 and since then over 7000 companies have achieved a King’s Award. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Awards for
Enterprise, reflecting His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.
This year 252 businesses have been recognised for their contribution to International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility).
