Major deals for EFTTEX exhibitors

Three EFTTEX exhibitors have entered into major deals just weeks after meeting their new partners at the show. Germany’s Ockert, Plastica Panaro of Italy and American reel company Ardent have all signed deals based on meetings that took place in the hall in Valencia in June – and all are already reaping the rewards.

Ockert, the EFTTA member company behind the Sportex rod and Climax line brands, has signed with distributor Henkor to make its products available in South Africa for the first time.

The speed of the agreement is such that Climax is already available in the shops and has already been the subject of repeat orders. Sportex will be available by the end of September in time for the South African season.

Says Henkor owner Henry de Beer: “Sportex is well known in Europe but completely unknown in South Africa. But anglers recognise top quality and when they see the products – and with the outstanding ten-year guarantee – I expect they will buy from the word go. With Climax we saw sales straight from the off. For a new brand here, the reaction has been exceptional.”

Tackle box manufacturer Plastica Panaro has announced a new partnership with Argentinian distributor Gonzalo Galan following the signing of the deal at EFTTEX in Valencia.

The Buenos Aires business will be the exclusive distributor for the Italian company and will showcase its products to the broad South American market during the Expocamping Show from October 1st to 3rd.

Gonzalo Galan represents other prestigious brands including Mustad, Omoto, Strike Pro, Relix, Rapala and Sufix, and also has its own label for rods, reels, accessories and clothing.

“We met during ICAST last year and then again at China Fish earlier this year,” explained Plastica Panaro’s Export Director Lucio Sirotti. “We finalised the partnership at EFTTEX in June. Argentina is a very strong market and is a good starting point for distributing our boxes to other South American countries.”

Meanwhile, a three-way discussion at EFTTEX between exhibiting company Ardent, Lamiglas and Fishouflage not only resulted in the launch of a brand new product but also in an ICAST New Product Award just over a month later in Las Vegas.

The US companies shared the top combo award with the Fishouflage Bass rod and reel. The Ardent reel and Lamiglas rod dressed in Fishouflage pattern captured the imagination of dealers and media alike when votes were cast for the most outstanding products in the show.

“The ideas was born at EFTTEX in Valencia in discussions between myself, John Posey of Lamiglas and Paul Berneggar at Fishouflage,” explained Mike Brooks, CEO of Ardent, the reel and Reel Care range manufacturer. “It took three weeks to execute, which is a credit to everyone involved. It just shows what can be achieved in this business and we’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised.”