A TEESSIDE firm is celebrating after securing its latest overseas order to provide a few home comforts for guests at a new luxury hotel in the Middle East.

Razzmatazz International, of Liverton Mines, near Loftus, specialises in "natural" products, from herbal pillows and aromatherapy oils to bath bombs, incense, funky soaps, and scented candles.

The company has just won an order worth more than £1,000 to supply a range of buckwheat and herbal pillows and aromatherapy oils to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for a new, luxury hotel in Dubai - the Mina A' Salam Hotel at the Madinat Jumeirah resort. The company already regularly exports to Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong and has been working closely with Andrew Tanner, Trade Partners UK's senior international trade adviser at Business Link Tees Valley, to tap into new markets.

Earlier this year the company took part in a successful Export Explorer to Brussels, during which owners, Tony and Branka Barnes developed several promising contacts with distributors and attended their first trade exhibition in Germany last month.

Mr Barnes, managing director of Razzmatazz, said: "Our export business is predominantly with distributors so we usually have no control or knowledge about where our products end up and this is our first direct sale to a hotel.

"The Mina A' Salam Hotel opens this month and will eventually have 600 bedrooms," he said. "We expect this initial trial order to be followed by a larger one.

"The buckwheat pillows are particularly suited to very hot climates as the buckwheat allows air to circulate, keeping the head cool, but also warm in winter.

"They can also be expected to last over ten years, as the filling will not break down or wear and actually becomes polished over time so the product works even more effectively with prolonged use. Long after synthetic pillows have collapsed and worn out, a buckwheat pillow will still be fully functional, not only providing far better sleep, but working out cheaper in the long run."

Mr Tanner said: "Even experienced exporters such as Razzmatazz can benefit from the help and support offered through Trade Partners UK. "We're delighted that Razzmatazz's efforts to break into new markets is proving so successful and we would encourage other local companies to find out how Trade Partners UK can help them achieve their aims in international trade."

Further information on help available from Trade Partners UK can be obtained from International Trade Team Business Link Tees Valley 01642 806666 and Business Link County Durham 0191 374 4000.