I completed my 8-week internship at Gripsure from May to early July as part of my international trade studies at Le Kreisker in Saint Pol de Léon. It was my first experience of working for an international company in a foreign country.

Gripsure is the leading supplier of non-slip decking in the UK and began exporting into the French market in 2016. At the start of this year, Gripsure launched two non-slip decking products Cumaru and treated Pine, through one of the largest builder’s merchants in France.

My main activity during my internship was to contact Builders merchants across France and introduce them to the Gripsure product range as well as offering them more information about the products to help with in-store sales. I’ve also helped with some translations of product descriptions and emails.

Not all of my time was office based. I spent some of my time helping out the production team which gave me the opportunity to see how Gripsure non-slip timber decking is made and to improve my product knowledge.

The highlight of my internship is that I was given an incredible opportunity to attended Carrefour International du Bois as an exhibitor. The show is the biggest timber trade show in France held in Nantes every two years. This was an interesting experience and taught me a lot about how to present products in a busy and professional environment. I spoke with business professionals and took contact details of people who came onto the stand. My time at the trade show really gave me a feel for working in the professional world.

I enjoyed my time at Gripsure working in a friendly environment which I will never forget. I am extremely grateful to Gripsure for offering me my first international internship opportunity it is a big step for me in preparation for my future professional career.

Gripsure was started back in 2005, and Jo joined a small team of 5 in 2008 dealing with accounts and invoicing. The business was founded by Mike Nicholson and the main office was based in Mike’s garden office overlooking the beautiful Cornish coastline!

Now, still in Cornwall but based in new purpose-built offices at Bugle, with an additional two production units and over 16 employees, Gripsure has gone from strength to strength. Expanding from a local business, to an international company and becoming the largest non-slip decking company in the UK.

Speaking of her first ten years with Gripsure, Jo said “I have enjoyed being part of the Gripsure family and feel proud to be part of the company’s success. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else although I do miss the view! I look forward to the exciting challenges that the next 10 years will bring. Thank you so much Gripsure for my weekend away in Dublin. I shall enjoy visiting the city and sampling Guinness on the tour!”

Gripsure’s Managing Director Mike Nicholson shared his thanks with Jo and said “Jo has been an integral part of our growth success, and now as Office Manager looks after the majority of the accounting and administration functions at Gripsure. I am proud that we now have two members of the team who have reached the 10-year milestone at Gripsure, and the loyalty that demonstrates to the company.”

The garden was created by Alan and the Love Your Garden team for an inspirational girl, Isabelle Cooper, who has severely limited vision. The four-year-old has a rare degenerative eye disease called LCA – Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, and will one day go completely blind.

Before the ITV show, the family’s back garden was a rectangle of lawn surrounded by uneven, slippery paving that made it a difficult place for Isabelle to play. The Love Your Garden team transformed it into a safe haven for Isabelle, with plants and flowers that smell, sound, feel and even taste great.

The Love Your Garden production team chose Gripsure Contemporary profile for the new garden. This timber decking was customised with green anti-slip inserts that perfectly complemented the design. The non-slip decking was used to create a walkway leading up to the play area. This has helped to create a safe environment for Isabelle to have fun outdoors all year round.

Gripsure Managing Director Mike Nicholson said: “When Love Your Garden approached us to ask if we could supply decking for this garden, we were more than happy to help. I am a big fan of the show and when we heard about the family’s situation and what Alan and the team were aiming to achieve with the garden we knew Gripsure decking would work really well with their plans. We are aware that Isabelle has not been able to play outside as much as her family would like, so we hope that providing non-slip decking will go a little way to helping her spend more time outdoors.

“We were all glued to our screens when the show went out on 9th August and were really impressed with the transformation. All of us at Gripsure would like to send our very best wishes to Isabelle and her family. We hope you have many, many happy days together in your beautiful new garden.”