A Shropshire marketing and e-commerce business has signed a partnership deal with one of China’s leading e-commerce providers, which it hopes will result in a significant number of new clients in the country’s growing economy.

Shrewsbury based Red Step Marketing which has been active in the Chinese manufacturing sector since it was established in 2012, signed the deal with the multi-billion dollar Zhejiang Netsun Group.

Director Chris Allen and co-founder Neil Hambley are frequent visitors to China, particularly the east coast province of Zhejiang, where Red Step has a number of clients in principal cities such as Hangzhou and Yiwu.

With backgrounds in online marketing, CRM and project delivery for UK companies Allen and Hambley have applied their experience to the Chinese market with the aim of helping clients increase global exports. Red Step now delivers bespoke branded e-commerce solutions designed specifically for the evolving global B2B market.

Chris Allen said: “This partnership is another giant leap forward for us as Netsun is one of leading Chinese companies in its field. It will provide access to a multitude of suppliers in any number of product areas, all of which can benefit from Red Step’s modular based e-commerce business solutions. In addition, it cements a high profile presence for Red Step in Zhejiang province, where the importance of the partnership has already led to excellent coverage in the local press and media. We expect it to be a long term partnership with the potential for a UK based hub in the future.”

In addition to new clients, Red Step has developed close links with the region’s government, particularly the Zhejiang Department of Commerce in Hangzhou. As a result Allen and Hambley will return in September where they will exhibit and present to key delegates at the annual China Zhejiang International Business Service Fair 2015 (CISF).