Barker Textiles benefited from the Enterprise Europe Network’s services in several ways. Seminars and webinars the Network hosted in foreign markets helped the company broaden its horizons. The Network helped the Lithuanian company find partners by giving them free access to its partner database. Barker also participated in partnering events such as Textile Connect 2023 and B2B meetings during Baltic Fashion & Textile. Finally, the Network helped them monitor calls for funding.
From this, Barker Textiles gained many useful contacts. For example, in 2021, they won a partnership agreement in the United Kingdom. In 2023, they signed an agreement for the manufacturing of high-quality blankets for children in Sweden, directly due to the contacts of Enterprise Europe Network. With the support of the Network, Barker Textiles also took part in the prestigious French home decor exhibition, Maison&Objet.
"Through the Network we gained dozens of new contacts," said Short. "Many of these have grown into partners and customers."
"Since 2017 we have been helping Barker Textiles build international bridges," said Irma Taparauskienė, Enterprise Europe Network partner at the Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts. "And in the future, we will continue to do so. We are happy that the Network’s assistance has helped the company find international partners."