Ten Prince Edward Island manufacturers of wood and building products recently returned from a trade mission to New England. The mission, led by Trade Team PEI, consisted mainly of companies with no previous exporting experience.
Products marketed on the mission ranged from spiral staircases and plastic lumber to high end giftware and hand crafted furniture. Participating companies were Chisel in Time Woodworking, Glenroy Fine Furniture, Tamarack Wood Products, Shaw Doors, Ravenwood Stairways, Kut Rite Wood, PC Industries Inc., McAskill Woodworking Limited, Coles Doors Systems and Island Plastics Inc.
"Trade missions help to diversify markets for Prince Edward Island's high quality goods and services. Our Island value-added wood products can compete in the export marketplace, and making contact and following up with potential buyers is essential," said the Honourable Lawerence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
Ravenwood Stairs of Alma made a critical contact during the mission. A stair distributor that covers a demographic market of more than 200 million people is extremely interested in Ravenwood's spiral staircase product. The distributor has just concluded a visit to Ravenwood's facilities and discussed the details of a future working relationship which could translate into the purchase of 50 spiral staircases per year. If all goes as planned, sales could exceed $100,000 in the first year.
"Often, it is the new exporters that really benefit from the support offered through Trade Team PEI's trade mission program," said the Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "First time ventures into a market can be challenging for those who have never sold outside of Canada before. I'm very pleased with the reports back from companies so far, as most appear to have found leads that they continue to pursue and some are close to making sales. I am very impressed with the professionalism and dedication exhibited by these new exporters and look forward to their future success as they expand into new markets."
Each company had pre-arranged meetings with potential buyers over a busy two-day schedule. Some companies toured the Boston Design Center and the Gift Center in Bedford, while others found success with businesses along the Cape Cod area. Several companies are working towards a contract with e-Wood, a leading on-line distributor of wood products. Having their products showcased on the e-Wood web site would give these Island companies world wide exposure and the potential for sales in many new markets.
New England is a large, highly competitive market with easy access to Atlantic Canada. The Island has a long history of prosperous trade relationships with New England, which is why this market continues to be a focal point for PEI trade missions.
Trade Team Prince Edward Island, a partnership of federal and provincial government departments and agencies, offers various forms of export assistance to active and potential exporters. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Prince Edward Island Business Development Inc., the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are among the partners.