Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
December 5, 2006The following
statement was issued by the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. It was also read in the House
of Assembly:
Local Companies
Enjoying Success in International Markets
I would like to inform my colleagues
about the successes three clients of the Department of Innovation, Trade
and Rural Development have enjoyed as a result of participating in our
trade missions this fall.
Holly Howard Incorporated of Conception Bay South, creator of the
popular Puff Baby clothing line, was a first-time participant in the
department�s recent trade mission to Florida. The company�s goal for the
mission was to determine if there was interest in its product line
outside of this province. Holly Howard, the company�s founder, says the
mission greatly exceeded her expectations. After taking nine meetings in
Florida, the company has received three sales orders, with two
additional leads for future sales. Also, the company is presently in
talks with the Walt Disney Company about submitting design samples and
possibly becoming one of Disney�s vendors.
Pixecur Technologies of St. John's is a growing, dynamic company with an
innovative vision. Pixecur�s participation in trade missions to Florida
and Ireland this fall marked the company�s first foray into export
markets, and their internet-based data storage technology is capturing
attention in these markets. After making 18 promising international
business connections, Pixecur is currently focused on the necessary
follow-up and closing deals. Tom Chalker, the company�s owner, believes
the missions to Florida and Ireland have resulted in a strong potential
for international sales, and have given his company enhanced credibility
in new export markets. Mr. Chalker says Pixecur is now better equipped
to serve potential clients abroad, after participating in these
missions.
Ewe Design, based in Trinity Bight, crafts traditional knitwear using
100 per cent homespun wools and novelty yarns. The company enjoyed great
success during a recent trade mission to Iceland, signing a lucrative
sales order with Iceland�s largest wool store, ALAFOSS. The company also
confirmed a second sales order as a result of the mission. Company owner
Joan Kane was equally successful in securing a supply of popular
Icelandic wool to use in her company�s creations. I would like to note
that all of Ewe Design�s products are hand-knit in the homes of women in
the Trinity Bight area.
Without the financial and logistical assistance that government
provides, many companies would be unable to explore export markets or
arrange these meetings on their own, making it difficult to penetrate
new markets. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these
companies, and wish them continued success for the future.
2006 12 05
2:50 p.m. |