Government support helps firm's success

Auckland company Cleanflow Systems has found offshore success in United States and European markets, helped by government support through the market development assistance scheme.

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Auckland company Cleanflow Systems has found offshore success in United States and European markets, helped by government support through the market development assistance scheme, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

The company developed and is now exporting a simple laser profiling device which takes the expensive and time-consuming guesswork out of inspecting underground storm water and wastewater pipelines.

"CleanFlow Systems received an Enterprise Development Grant for Market Development, which enabled the company to travel throughout the United States and Europe to promote their product and gain access to an increased pool of potential customers," Trevor Mallard said.

"One of the keys to the success of the Clearline Profiler has been a prolonged period of research and development by their innovative team, followed by the implementation of a thorough marketing strategy.

"The grant enabled CleanFlow Systems to internationalise their business and grow it. This is the sort of success story that we need to see more of - and it is why the Labour-led government expanded the market development assistance scheme in Budget 2006 so more exporters would benefit from it.

"Cleanflow Systems is a fantastic example of an innovative exporter who has used smart marketing to successfully tap into offshore markets. To successfully transform our economy, it is critical that we grow our firms, exporting high-value goods and services to the world," Trevor Mallard said.

Since launching into the US and European markets in 2003, sales of the Clearline Profiler have more than quadrupled, with global distribution networks in place for Europe, Asia, North America and Australasia.

Funding for the Enterprise Development Grant for Market Development was boosted by an extra $64.2 million over four years in Budget 2006, and eligibility was also widened.

Under the scheme, businesses can apply for co-funding assistance for significant international market development initiatives, including expenditure related to market visits, in-market representation, advertising and promotion, marketing materials, trade fairs and events, and market research. They can apply individually and also in collaboration with other firms, and have to match government funding.

ENDS

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