NZ Nature delivers nice surprise

David Warrick plans to expand Certified Organics' range of products on offer. Picture / Richard Robinson

Record sales last month helped Certified Organics' new subsidiary, New Zealand Nature, to beat expectations.

Sales revenue for the online and mail-order retailer topped $2.4 million for the first four months of ownership, including the December sales.

Certified Organics' managing director, David Warrick, said: "Despite the high US dollar exchange rate, export sales volumes to North America have been maintained and margins improved."

New Zealand Nature, which sells sheepskin, possum and merino products, makes about half its sales overseas, mainly in North America.

Full-year results for the Certified Organics group are due on February 24.

Certified bought New Zealand Nature from founders Ben van Dyke and Miranda Wood van Dyke last August for $5 million.

The move was seen as an effective backdoor listing for New Zealand Nature, which is the more profitable of the two firms.

New Zealand Nature started by selling possum fur hats, and now also sells cosmetic and alternative health products, educational toys and "kiwiana" via the internet to 50,000 customers.

Warrick said there were plans to expand the range and to target the European market.

Certified sells pine-based products to control weeds, plant disease and pests. The company reported a net loss of $599,000 for the six months to June.

- NZPA, Staff Reporter