T&G officially opens new office in Shanghai China
The new office, which officially launched on 20 May, is part of the global company’s strategy for growth markets announced early 2014. The office set up began late last year and has already grown to accommodate a team of 10 people.
Nick Fitzpatrick, T&G General Manager; Guergana Guermanoff, New Zealand Consul-General in Shanghai, Alastair Hulbert, T&G Chief Executive Officer.
“T&G, through Delica, has been working with Chinese customers for over 15 years, achieving strong growth over this time. We did a lot of analysis and decided an in-market resource was vital for enhancing our market position and laying the platform for future growth,” said T&G CEO Alastair Hulbert.
“The opening of our office in Shanghai demonstrates our commitment to the China market and to our in-market partners and customers. We are excited about the increased potential we now have to grow the business with our own office here” he said.
The team on the ground, led by China Country Manager Ignacio Smith, have spent the past six months establishing the office structure and connecting with local customers.
“We have a great team here in China and this permanent office enables us to further strengthen relationships with our customers and partners, ultimately to better service the Chinese consumer with high quality fresh fruit and vegetables from New Zealand and other key supply regions.”
Darren Drury, T&G Executive General Manager Pipfruit; Nick Fitzpatrick, T&G General Manager; Mike Brown, KONO Horticulture; Ignacio Smith, T&G China Country Manager.
Mr Smith says the China market is changing rapidly and T&G’s goal is to be at the forefront of those changes and to be able to respond to the evolving market conditions.
“Our growers and suppliers need real time information on market pricing and trends, in order to be able to make the best decisions and adapt their businesses accordingly.”
T&G has had strong support from the New Zealand Government and its agencies in China including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs & Trade.
“We have also had fantastic support from New Zealand Central, the New Zealand Government-sponsored working space in Shanghai for Kiwi companies doing business in China,” said Mr Smith.
Guergana Guermanoff, the New Zealand Consul-General in Shanghai, spoke to the assembled guests on the importance of spending time and effort in getting to know China.
“Companies like Delica / T&G are the active examples of how New Zealand wants its relationship with China to be about not just high-level exchanges, but a comprehensive partnership.”
The new China office expands T&G’s country offices around the world to 15, and the third in Asia, joining Japan and Singapore.
In addition to formally launching the China office, the event also celebrated the start of the Southern Hemisphere JazzTM and EnvyTM apple programmes in China.
“Following a successful growing season in New Zealand, the popular JazzTM and EnvyTM apple programmes are now underway in key markets around the world. We continue to invest in building awareness and a compelling brand proposition for consumers to promote these great apples,” says Mr Hulbert.
“Working with our growers and trading partners, we expect a strong export season off the back of good growing conditions in New Zealand.”