Waikato bibs set for US market

Te Rapa-based baby bib manufacturer SB Global has struck a deal with US distributor Live Long Dream to sell its bibs in the United States.

SG Global managing director Nicola Pere said the deal would see at least US$1 million ($1.43 million) worth of Silly Billyz and Cool Bananaz bibs reach American stores in the next year.

"We are set to take America by storm. (Live Love Dream) already have large pre-orders and have an upcoming appointment with one of the USA's largest retailers, Babies R Us."

Mrs Pere, 32, said the bibs had a nylon backing that meant little messes didn't soak through to baby, and were made of stain-resistant polar fleece which dries quickly after washing.

Most of the manufacturing is done in China, with just two machinists in Hamilton.

The company has become a supplier to Nationwide Baby Factory, Baby City, Farmers and childcare centres, and has annual New Zealand turnover of more than $1 million, Mrs Pere said.

The company recently started exporting to Australia, Britain and Japan, and is working on deals in Europe.

Mrs Pere expected total export turnover to exceed US$2.5 million within a year as a result of the US deal.

SB Global is also getting into the playground equipment import business and will shift into a purpose-built factory in Te Rapa in November to give it more space.

- nzpa