Image: Paxman Hair Loss Prevention System

Pet Project

Company Name: Caldex Ltd

Privately owned pet product supplier, Caldex Ltd, was founded in 1975 in Yorkshire, and had been a family run business for generations. Under the brand name Classic Pet Products, Caldex manufactures, imports and exports an extensive range of quality products, including drinking bottles for small animals, feeding dishes, aquarium ornaments, grooming products, dog chews, toys and beds.

In 2007, the business was acquired by Chris Egan who has over 25 years experience of the pet market, and his partner Nigel Pullan, a chartered accountant with experience of a wide range of businesses. Having undertaken a review of Caldex’s export business by country, Chris felt that, along with other regions, the French market offered potential for expansion. Chris had worked with UK Trade & Investment before and was aware of the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS). In late 2008, Caldex commissioned an OMIS report for France, looking specifically at major pet retailers and wholesalers.

“We did some of this groundwork using trade data, pet industry journals and the internet,” says Chris. “But UK Trade & Investment’s name adds authority. I believe that if enquiries come from the British Embassy, companies are likely to listen and respond. The OMIS report was extremely thorough. It listed specific contact details of people who would be interested in talking to us and even those we shouldn’t approach. The whole process was excellent value for money and saved us a lot of time.”

The full case study can be accessed from Related Content.