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Who can benefit from the NFI services?

4 specific cases:
  • Foreign companies in all sectors looking to expand in Hauts-de-France
  • French companies with no site in Hauts-de-France
  • Hauts-de-France companies with a succession plan
  • Foreign-owned companies in Hauts-de-France with a development project
Our services are not intended for :
  • French or international self-employed entrepreneurs
  • French companies wishing to export
  • International companies seeking distribution networks only

Why as the help of Nord France Invest?

Nord France Invest provides you with completely tailored, free of charge and confidential support. We centralize all the information you need to analyze your project. We facilitate your process to find a site, partners or land. We organize site visits. We accelerate your networking with future regional partners. Find out more about the agency's services on this page.

What type of project can support you in?

The agency supports job-creating investment projects. The nature of projects varies according to 3 main categories:
  • Start-up projects
  • Expansion of existing sites in the region
  • takeovers of regional businesses by international companies.
Nord France Invest's services are not aimed at capital investments.
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Usleep expands in Hauts-de-France

to access its markets in the EU

"Location was still the number one factor. It's a logical choice for British companies. When you leave England, you have to go through France anyway to get to elsewhere in Europe. Fabienne Labbe, General Manager, Usleep
Date de publication Published on 29.02.2024
Nord France Invest

Usleep – the UK’s leading supplier of hybrid mattresses – set up in Dourges to access its customers in the EU market.

They were up and running by January 4, 2022, with 17 employees.

Take a look back at the British group’s adventure in Hauts-de-France.

What is the context behind Usleep’s need to grow?

Usleep had already 2 sites in the United Kingdom in Ashton Under Lyne et Castle Donington. After Brexit, the company found it more difficult to access the EU due to tougher administrative measures, delays and additional costs. However, demand from EU customers was increasing. As a result, Usleep had no choice but to find a location solution to get closer to its markets.

Download the full business case

Discover Usleep’s full project in Hauts-de-France as well as how Nord France Invest supported them to be up and running in record time.
Access the document
Download the full business case

Why did Usleep chose the Hauts-de-France Region for its expansion?

After considering multiple sites, the company chose one in Dourges which meet all of their expectations.

 

The Hauts-de-France Region combined :

#1 A very strategic location dues to its:

  • Immediate proximity to its headquarters
  • Efficient transport infrastructures to distribute their goods
  • Ease to export throughout Europe

#2 Available and skilled workforce

#3 An important ecosystem of foam manufacturers which is needed for their mattresses

#4 Access to the “made in France” logo highly looked upon in Europe

 

Usleep decides to develop its business

2021

Usleep contacts Nord France Invest

Feb

Start of sites visits

Mar

Confirmation of the site in Dougres via the signature of the lease and aceptation of the financial aid request

May

Site up & running and EU deliveries made

Nov

An expansion project which took only 9 months thanks to Nord France Invest and its partners

“I requested the support of Nord France Invest to have a unique interlocutor. It was an intermediary between the different entities who played a part in this project. Without them, It would have been more time-consuming and I would not have been able to do as many things.”

“Pôle Emploi launched a recruitment campaign via tests. They did a pre-selection of 120 people, 100 of them did the tests. Then, they made a pre-selection of 40 people and I interviewed and hired about 20 of them. ”

Fabienne Labbe, General Manager Usleep

How did Nord France Invest support Usleep’s expansion in Hauts-de-France?

Nord France Invest can provide you with Free and confidential support to companies looking to set-up in the Hauts-de-France Region.

For Usleep, Nord France Invest’s support meant finding the right expansion solutions in record time to meet the company’s challenges: i.e. delivering their customers as quickly as possible. It included help with:

  • Finding the right site
  • Going through administrative procedures
  • Asking for financial incentives
  • Getting introduced to the local ecosystem
  • Being put in contact with the correct interlocutors

You are a company looking to expand into Europe and Northern France is on your radar? Let’s discuss!

Do you have an expansion project?
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