The Burgopak, a premium and versatile alternative to standard packaging formats, takes inspiration from the principle used in pop-up books, but in a more sophisticated form. Using an innovative belt-drive mechanism, the pack is opened smoothly with a pull on a tab, and pushing the tab closes it again. It is used for variety of goods including confectionery, cosmetics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, telecoms products, CD and DVD cases, toys, and special promotional packs.

Some of the high-profile applications of the design have been for Motorola's RAZR phone, the Spiderman 2 DVD, the Scissor Sisters most recent album - Ta Da - and a special edition pack for the Beckhams' World Cup 2006 party.

Other well-known clients include Microsoft, Porsche and Vodafone.

The Burgopak has a variety of benefits, beyond just giving a brand a higher perceived value.

It can become part of the product being sold, increases the amount of surface area which can be used for branding, creates a lasting impression, and it can also improve customer safety.

Their pharmaceutical product packs for example, is designed so that information about the drug is integrated into the packaging and so does not become separated from the pack, something which can happen with conventional pharmaceutical packaging.

The past two years have seen the company achieve a remarkable international expansion, with Burgopak targeting countries where consumers are demanding of high quality packaging.

Since 2005, the company has expanded from its London base to open offices in Boston, Washington, Chicago, Berlin, Hong Kong and Tokyo, along with a distribution centre in Sydney, and has increased from a staff of just four in 2005 to 35 today, and this is expected to reach 50 by the end of the year.

They have also produced nearly 20 million boxes in the past four years, which have comprised more than 400 designs, including 40 basic designs, six patents and one registered design.

As part of their export plans, they approached UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) for assistance with developing an presence in Japan, and in 2006 they signed up to UKTI's Passport to Export programme, which provides tailored and structured advice and support to help new and inexperienced exporters succeed in international trade.

It was this structured support they wanted in order to start operating in Japan.

They worked with UKTI International Trade Adviser Keith Moses and the commercial team at the British Embassy in Tokyo, who introduced them to suitable contacts among manufacturers, distributors and end clients and arranged translations of promotional material.

They are now in negotiations with several Japanese companies with deals likely to come to fruition in the next few months.

Burgopak has also established a local presence, with a Tokyo office opened in February and two Japanese designers recruited.

Burgopak is now looking at South Korea as another potential market, as opportunities in electronics packaging along with cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are strong.

They are working with UKTI to source relevant market information, potential suppliers and how to set up an office there, and have already held initial meetings in London with potential clients and packaging manufacturers.

Mark Whittaker, one of Burgopak's Directors said: 'I found UKTI very professional and they opened doors for us in new territories, giving us access to contacts we would not have found without them'.