International engagement

Pet Quip, the federation of garden and leisure manufacturers, is urging British suppliers of pet products to make export sales a top priority in 2009, following the rapid decline in sterling on international markets in recent weeks. In the pet sector, Pet Quip will be organising a British exhibitor group at Zoomark in Bologna (7-10 May) for which UKTI cash grants will be available to eligible companies, and a British information stand at the Backer Christmas Trade Show in Chicago (2-4 October). Other international shows in the federation’s programme that feature pet products are the National Hardware Show with Lawn & Garden World (Las Vegas, 5-7 May) and Spoga+Gafa (Cologne, 6-8 September). Three “Meet the Buyer” events are also planned. Many British companies attending previous events have secured valuable export orders as a direct result. The first of these events, all of which are organised so that suppliers can meet international buyers on a one-to-one basis, is to be held in the Midlands on 31 March. The second event, targeting Ireland, is planned for 23-24 June and the third will take place on 4 November.