Loughborough University graduate company Zone3 has already made an impressive name for itself in the UK and is now venturing overseas to new markets.

The established sports brand which produces a range of wetsuits, triathlon clothing, swimwear and accessories hopes to establish a reputation worldwide to match its UK status. Having achieved a turnover of £1 million this year, Zone3 is looking to expand and has opened bases across Europe, Australasia, South Africa and the US.

Founder James Lock first realised the potential for a British triathlon brand whilst studying Architectural Engineering and Design Management at Loughborough. Being an elite triathlete, he identified a gap in the market for a high performance, better fitting product that would help improve speed and comfort.

Following two years of extensive research, Zone3 was born in 2009 and since then has become a recognised triathlon brand nationwide. GQ magazine described one of their recent wetsuit designs as ‘the greatest aquatic miracle since Moses’ and the brand continues to be rated extremely highly by experts in the industry.

James said: "A lot of the success of Zone3 was down to making sure the products were as good as they could possibly be before starting the sales and marketing process."

The range caters for first time triathletes as well as world champions. The Aspire wetsuit has won more best value and 10/10 ratings than any other brand and the Advance wetsuit won the Best Buy award in this year's 220 Triathlon magazine trials – further establishing Zone3’s reputation for offering competitive prices and high-quality products.

The University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise, Professor Steve Rothberg, said: “We are extremely proud of James’s business achievements, and Zone3’s overseas expansion is a tribute to his hard work. We wish him every success.”

Zone3 is featured in Loughborough University’s Inspiring Graduates campaign which hopes to inspire students and graduates to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

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