Increasing business - by axing distributors

A British exporter has seen its business go from strength to strength, by ditching its distributor.

Moorcroft Pottery produces fine-art items which are popular with collectors in New Zealand.

In 2002 the company ended its relationship with its New Zealand distributor, and asked its Collectors' Club to suggest shops which would be interested in stocking its range.

Company director Kim Thomson says from then on, it was relatively easy. She says shops were contacted directly and they were receptive to the whole idea.

Ms Thomson says it worked like a dream and the business has seen a ten-fold increase on its exports to New Zealand.

She says the other advantage is that they were able to offer New Zealand collectors the full range of products, instead of just the ones that the distributor decided to import to New Zealand.

Ms Thomson has been in Auckland this week, talking to retailers about Moorcroft's products.

- NEWSTALK ZB