News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Home Is Where the Mark Is
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Several of Nova Scotia's building products manufacturers are
looking forward to a busy year, thanks to a trade mission in
Leipzig, Germany.
Seven companies are just back from Europe, where they exhibited
their products at the Leipzig Construction Fair. Some of them
came home with leads worth millions.
"We found potential customers from northern Italy, Austria,
Hungary and the rest of Germany," said Dan Landry of Cape Cod
Wood Siding Inc. "Since returning, we've already sent quotes to
potential clients in Leipzig, Odessa (Ukraine), and Genoa
(Italy)."
He said the show could spawn at least $300,000 in sales over the
next 12 months.
Mr. Landry said one of the keys to his company's success in
Leipzig was good preparation. Cape Cod produced spec sheets,
brochures and instruction manuals in German, and the company's
German distributor provided them with translation services.
"Speaking German was essential in Leipzig," said Mr. Landry. And,
he added, Nova Scotia exhibitors worked as a team, referring
clients to each other.
Bob Bona of Scotia Homes in Enfield agreed. "We definitely had
strength in numbers --everyone came away with a positive attitude
toward exporting from Nova Scotia. We worked well together, even
if we're competing at home."
Mr. Bona said he won a couple of contracts in northern Germany
that he wouldn't have secured if he hadn't been exhibiting in
Leipzig.
Interhabs, which has a plant in Hubbards, used the event to build
existing European business and look for growth opportunities.
"It showed our German partners that we're serious about working
with Germany," said company president Rob Williams. Interhabs
made 50 contacts at the show and anticipate as many as 15 could
lead to contracts over the next 12 months.
"That translates into sales of anywhere between $400,000 and
$600,000," said Mr. Williams. "As every two and a half houses
means another job in Nova Scotia, the Leipzig show could generate
two full person-years."
Close to 110,000 visitors viewed the products and services of
1,700 exhibitors from 34 countries at the fair. The Nova Scotia
contingent, organized by Economic Development and Tourism's Steve
MacKenzie in partnership with Industry Canada, was a focal point
of the Canadian delegation. With 80 square metres of floor space,
the booth was built by the exhibitors on site to show their
products in use.
Mr. MacKenzie said the Nova Scotia companies used the show for a
variety of purposes. "In addition to meeting with existing
partners and establishing contacts with potential distributors,
they used the show as a means to update their market
intelligence."
Mr. MacKenzie said delegates found the event to be, "an excellent
show . . . the majority intend to return in two years' time."
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Contact: Steve Fairbairn
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-5836
E-mail: fairbair@gov.ns.ca
sab Nov. 25, 1997 5:05 p.m.
