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Wednesday, 19 May 2010

“The whole visit was extremely well organised by the IATC and we found its third party support of our company and its services invaluable – money could not buy support like this; its not often that you get the Government flying the flag for you. IATC was so professional and well-organised”

Mark Fiddy, Managing Director - Poultex Ltd

Left to right: Shoeeb Riaz, Mark Fiddy (Managing Director - Poultex Ltd), Lyn Soloman (UKTI Cape Town), Ben Salisbury, Sandra Warne (UKTI Cape Town)

Success in South Africa for UK Poultry Company

Company Name: Poultex

Support from IATC (International Agri-Technology Centre) and UKTI has led to new customers in South Africa for a UK poultry company, demonstrating the benefits of government support for UK businesses during the recession.

Norfolk based meat and poultry exporters, Poultex, exhibited as part of a UK group organised by the International Agri-Technology Centre (IATC), at Africa’s Big Seven Exhibition in South Africa in July 2009. The event is the only one of its kind in Africa, presenting seven co-located events which define the food supply chain from farm to retail.

The opportunity was promoted by IATC after the British Consulate General in Cape Town received an enquiry from a South African company. The IATC works with UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI) regional and international networks to help businesses identify opportunities and enter overseas markets. They identified a number of potential UK suppliers and facilitated the introductions which led Poultex to participate in the trade mission to South Africa, and develop two million rand worth of new business.

As well as developing new business, the company was also able to strengthen relationships with existing customers and opened up new opportunities in other parts of Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique. In fact, it’s been so busy that it has had to take on new staff just to deal with that region. The company is now pursuing new markets in China and the Middle East, again with support from UK Trade & Investment.

“UK Trade & Investment’s proposal was really well thought out,” says Mark. “They clearly knew both the local market in South Africa, and what we are about it as a company.”

“We felt we had their total support, and benefitted enormously from the time and expertise they gave us, not to mention the funding. Now, the first thing we do when exploring a new opportunity overseas is to contact the local UK Trade & Investment office.”

The IATC is contracted by Advantage Agriculture, Horticulture & Fisheries and UK Trade & Investment to promote and support the UK’s agri-food technology industry in developing its international trade potential.