Press & Media

New York Thought Exchange Blog: Caldeira Group

Tony Caldeira, founder and managing director of Caldeira Group, says the shared learning and mutual advice on the HSBC Business Thinking Thought Exchange in New York was "priceless".

Caldeira Group is one of the regional finalists in the HSBC Business Thinking initiative.
It is a Liverpool-based group of home textiles companies that include the biggest supplier of cushions to the UK market; a fast-growing home textiles manufacturer in Hangzhou, China; Caldeira USA, a sales office a showroom in New York that is spearheading expansion into the US market; and The Fabric Warehouse, a 14-store retail chain concentrated in the south of England.

Started by Tony Caldeira on a market stall in 1991, sales have grown every year since and now stand at more than £20m. Caldeira supplies leading retailers in 20 countries.

"Business Thinking has been a great success for all the entrepreneurs fortunate enough to attend the programme in New York. The thoughts which have been exchanged have been beneficial for all of the entrepreneurs involved, whether they were "US virgins" trying to break into the market or "US veterans" which have been trading successfully in the US for several years.

"One of the highlights of the trip was a dinner with Pret a Manger Chairman Larry Billet, who held court with the assembled entrepreneurs over dinner after giving an excellent presentation at the hotel. After dinner Larry got more than he bargained for. He was given a thorough grilling in the restaurant and was repeatedly challenged on his company's business model by the attentive group hungry for knowledge. The frank and honest exchange was stimulating and inspiring for all.

"For the "first time" exporters there were lots of useful seminars. UKTI, Grant Thornton and naturally HSBC advised the group on the US economy and various factors they need to consider when setting up in the US.

"Another highlight for me was the session with the team from Sunham Home Fashions. Howard Yung, the son of Sunham's founder, described how the Sino-American home textiles business had grown from $3m in sales to an incredible $155m. As an entrant into the lucrative but fiercely competitive US home textiles market, Caldeira USA could gain specific knowledge and valuable advice from the inspirational Yung and his extremely capable CFO Arthur Courbanou. Courbanou answered some of my questions on Caldeira USA issues and we agreed to catch up at a later date. A very useful contact indeed!

"But the best part of the trip was the group itself, both entrepreneurs and bankers. The shared learning and mutual advice was priceless and the group are going to meet again in future to continue their mutual support. Both business contacts and future friendships have been forged during the week.

"Caldeira USA is considering acquiring a US company to help convert the significant opportunity it has created. By being introduced to several key members of the HSBC's US commercial banking team, Caldeira has a good start in the transatlantic relationship building which will be necessary to create a team to complete a state-side acquisition.

"HSBC pulled no punches with this event and sent its top brass to maximise its opportunity. On the last day we heard from the US chief economist from the bank, who answered China-specific questions for me. The US vice-president and head of commercial banking, Mark Luppi, also offered advice on my "elevator pitch". High powered stuff!

"Finally, the best news of all for the group, but most importantly for entrepreneurs and business people across the UK, was the open minded and positive outlook from Ian Henley, head of corporate and commercial banking in the UK. He joined Brian Hay of Cardinal Maritime and me for dinner and was given "both barrels", respectfully of course, by the pair of us. Importantly he listened – and learned. Business Thinking has turned out to be not only important for the entrepreneurial business people present, it was also important for the "powers that be" at HSBC.
"With luck this event will have helped convince the bank that it has the biggest opportunity in British banking for decades. HSBC also has an obligation to both its shareholders and to UK plc to take its once-in-a-generation chance. The bank must give more support and backing to the country's entrepreneurs to help Britain grow out of the economic mess it's in.

"Overall, Business Thinking was a great event which could be significant far beyond the talented group of entrepreneurs and bankers involved. Well done HSBC – and thank you."

Click here to read article here on the Telegraph »

 

Top ^

Liverpool Daily Post Magazine - Why Knowsley knows best

Click here to read the PDF article from LDP Magazine November 2011 (pages 25, 26 & 28) »

 

Top ^

Brit's Get Rich in China

China’s booming economy is a holy grail for risk-taking entrepreneurs. Every day intrepid Brits land there, seduced by wages of 20p an hour, dirt cheap products and over a billion potential customers. But the Wild East is not a place for the faint hearted. Unleashed after 50 years of communism, Chinese entrepreneurs are taking no prisoners in their own relentless quest for wealth and only the toughest will survive…

In Brits Get Rich in China acclaimed directors Alastair Cook and Rob Davis follow the dramatic missions of three British trailblazers as they try to make their fortunes in China - the real dragon’s den.

Tony Caldeira’s award winning Merseyside cushion business has been threatened by cheap Chinese imports. In a desperate bid to save his company, he’s borrowed 2 million pounds and has flown out to China in an attempt to build a cushion factory in a paddy field.

Dapper ex-colonel, Peter Williams, has spent his life savings on an energy saving device that he thinks he can sell throughout China. If he pulls it off, he’ll make hundreds of millions of pounds. But to many Chinese businessmen, he’s just an English plum ripe for the picking. Will they rip off his device and send him home with his tail between his legs?

Controversial kitchen retailer Vance Miller has built a huge business buying cheap products in China. But along the way, he says he has suffered a deluge of scams at the hands of his equally ruthless Chinese suppliers. On his fake "Olympic Inspection Committee" bus, he’s on a tour of the country determined to crack down on those he says have crossed him.

Written, directed and produced: Alistair Cook and Rob Davis.

 

Top ^

Liverpool Daily Post Magazine - From China to New York

Click here to download the PDF article from LDP Magazine (3.6mb) »

 

Top ^

Cushion King

Liverpool businessman Tony Caldeira is what legends are made of. In a modern retelling of rags to riches, from market stall to multi-million business, he's leading the way in the global textiles market with Caldeira UK and heading up the Liverpool Conservative Party...

Click here to read the entire article from Move Commercial Magazine, issue 23 »

 

Top ^