New Era Aquaculture Ltd

Overseas plans going swimmingly

A South Yorkshire aquatic nutrition specialist is looking to new overseas markets after enjoying success at its first exhibition abroad.

New Era Aquaculture Ltd, from Thorne, near Doncaster, was able to participate in Interzoo, one of the largest international pet exhibitions, thanks to financial assistance through the Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS).

The company officially launched its latest technical feed and supplements range including a unique feeding system, showcased other products and met potential new distributors during the export drive in Nuremberg, Germany. Now, New Era – which sells a range of technical feeding diets to public aquariums and marine and tropical fish hobbyists – is looking to continue that success by venturing further afield than ever thanks to the funding.

New Era enrolled on the TESS programme after approaching South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) for export assistance. The scheme enabled the company to access £10,000 of match-funding over a yearlong period.

TESS, developed jointly by Yorkshire Forward and UK Trade and Investment, gives firms financial help and practical support to create international development strategies. The money will now continue to boost New Era's vision of taking their products to markets all over the world.

Director Peter Kersh explained: "The SYITC has been known to me for many years, first and foremost as a customer in previous businesses, and so the centre was obviously New Era's first port of call.

"Our SYITC international trade advisor, Heather Guile, suggested we look to the TESS programme and the funding helped take us to the exhibition which was a real success for us. We received many enquiries from more than 30 countries and were able to meet many potential distributors.

"The funding has also meant that once we were back in the UK, we could follow up that success and build on it. We are now in the process of setting up distributors in our key areas – Germany, France and Italy – and the money has meant that we have already been able to go out to visit those three markets."

And the company will be continuing to develop its export strength.

Said Peter: "We're now looking to confirm our new distributors and then continue building on our sales by looking to more new countries including Holland, Spain, Belgium and Scandinavia. "After that, the USA comes on the agenda!"

SYITC international trade advisor Heather Guile said: "New Era know where they want to be and have a very clear and proactive approach to getting there.

"The TESS scheme is there to help forward thinking companies just like them and I'm glad it has paid off in so many ways for New Era."

Pictured: Staff from New Era Aquaculture tackle questions at the Interzoo exhibition in Germany