W ex ford companies reaping the benefits of Savannah trade links
WHAT started off as a visit by a delegation of senior executives from Savannah, Georgia, USA to the Wexford Enterprise Centre is quickly blossoming into a unique trade corrider which has seen Wexford companies land some impressive deals with American counterparts.
The Tradebridge project - which was launched back in April – last week revealed that 10 deals are now being finalised between businesses in Wexford and Savannah.
At the start of November, six Wexford businesses travelled out to Savannah with Tradebridge to open new trade opportunities in the US market – Poachers Premium Mixers, Jackford Gin, Kent Stainless, Stafford Bonded, Survipod & Scurri.
According to Alison Stone Thompson, project officer for Tradebridge in Wexford, the feedback has been excellent. Genuine business relationships were initiated and are now progressing towards commercial gain.
A return visit to Wexford last week has been equally as successful.
‘We invest the time getting to know and understand our participants businesses, then we match them with companies on the other side,’ said Alison. ‘For example, last week as part of the inbound Savannah delegation to Wexford a leading chain of frozen daiquiri bars was over considering expansion into Europe with a HQ in Wexford. By knowing their business requirements, Tradebridge successfully introduced them to two Wexford based technology companies. Deals are being finalised now,’ she said.
A spokesperson for one of the Wexford companies said working with Tradebridge was a ‘no brainer’.
‘We were introduced to the right client, the right way and at the right time. We are absolutely delighted to be able to say that thanks to Tradebridge our first USA deal has given us a foothold in nine states,’ said the spokesperson.
Depsite only being in existence since April, Tradebridge is fast garnering a reputation as a fantastic opportunity for Wexford companines to start up relationships with American companies.
Eamonn Murphy, chairman of Wexford Enterprise Centre, said: ‘We could not be happier with the initial results of the pilot project.’
Brendan Ennis CEO of Wexford Enterprise Center said: ‘ Tradebridge enables Wexford companies to use Savannah as a gateway to the US and Wexford can be used as a springboard into Europe for Savannah-based companies. This is a unique opportunity and the action-orientated nature of the project is refreshing and breeds success’
Speaking on his return from his recent trip to Savannah, Shane Curtin, sales & marketing director at Kent Stainless said: ‘ Tradebridge arranged eight meetings for us in two days. We have taken part in trade missions before where a volume of meetings like this means perhaps two or three of the meetings would be relevant – all eight in this case were relevant. This was a highly efficient use of our time and was extremely effective in getting face to face time with exactly the right people from our target market.
‘We can now see that Savannah is probably the right size and location to begin our business development in the USA we will certainly be participating again, and we recommend other companies to use Savannah as a springboard for their entry to the USA.’
Traditionally, ambitious Irish businesses trying to open the US market look towards Boston, New York, Chicago and the West Coast. But Tradebridge is capitalising on the fact that Wexford and Savannah share a unique heritage, dating back to the middle of the 19th Century.
During the Great Famine, a considerable amount of Wex- ford people emigrated to Savannah. By the mid 1850s, 56% of Savannah’s Irish population hailed from Wexford. Wexford people were very well received in Savannah. Some went on to become the city’s most eminent citizens. Names like Kehoe, Doyle, Kavanagh, Redmond & Rossiter, remain synonymous with Savannah today.
Under the guidance of Tom Enright, Wexford County Council CEO, excellent civic relations have been developed between the regions. Tradebridge is an extension of those relationships, enabling the project to leverage the contacts for commercial gain. There are now Tradebridge offices open in Wexford Enterprise Centre and the World Trade Center in Savannah.
If any Wexford business would like to find out more about Tradebridge and potentially apply for the next outbound mission to Savannah, due to take place next spring, please contact alison@wexsavtradebridge.com