Moneytobemadefromexports

Jul 15 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

“THERE’S a lot of money in India,” observes Guy Woodall, chief executive of Thorncroft Drinks, a premium beverage company.

It exports to 28 countries, including India, and Mr Woodall believes the UK has a global marketing edge in the quality soft drinks market.

Although three-quarters of its sales are still in this country, the Eaglescliffe company is also targeting the burgeoning middle classes in such booming economies as India and China.

Thorncroft’s products range from elderflower or pink ginger cordials to its Healthy Thirst range including “Oriental Vitality drink” Kombucha and Cranberry and Hibiscus.

Although some UK firms find Indian production registration and other paperwork to be ultra-bureaucratic, Mr Woodall says the importing company took care of most of it for him.

And despite warnings of cultural differences in how Indians do business, he says he hasn’t encountered many.

“The people I’ve dealt with in Mumbai and Pune are quite easygoing and all speak English, even to each other.”

As well as taking UK Trade & Investment advice, he also has used the services of the commercial section of British embassies, which he says charge very reasonable fees compared to private outlets.

“Their work means that when you go to a country you have a queue of people waiting to meet you.”