The six Island businesses that participated in a recent sales mission to Montreal signed up a combined sales of more than $1.25 million, says organizer Robert Maddix, business development officer with RDÉE Prince Edward Island.
One of the goals of the trip – the fourth offered by RDÉE -- was to sign sales contracts that had been in negotiation stages since the third mission last fall. The six participating businesses also met with a total of 70 potential buyers, including several new ones that indicated they would purchase Island products.
"The best thing about all of this is that we've just barely started scratching the surface of the potential for sales in the Quebec market," said Maddix. "So far, we've concentrated primarily on the Montreal region. This fall, during our next mission, we'll also attack Quebec City."
The mission co-ordinator notes that the biggest success story of this last tour undoubtedly belongs to Sylvain Gagné from the ever-growing business Gagné Blueberries. He was able to finalize substantial contracts for his fresh blueberries (as well as those from other Island growers) with distributors such as Canada Wide, J.B. Laverdure, Global MJL, Metro Central and Loblaw's, as well as with a number of small buyers.
Danso Bikes, the bamboo bicycle manufacturing business belonging to Gideon Banahene, has confirmed six new sales locations: Bicycle Dumoulin, Vélo Montréal, Source du Sport Campus, Vélo Intemporel, Mon Vélo and Bicyclette Tranquille. As well, RST Vélosport wants to rent bikes. Following its participation in a few of the RDÉE's sales missions, the business decided to hire a sales representative (Mathieu Arsenault) for the province of Québec and for portions of Ontario.
Kaneshii Vinyl Press, the vinyl record pressing outfit owned by Banahene with Ghislaine Cormier, also confirmed new buyers and partners, La Tribu and Studio Bulldog. Several of their previous buyers have placed additional orders.
Pam and Joe Handcrafted sold a large quantity of its special jewelry to buyers such as Mon Papillon Bleu, Bijouterie Parchemin and Nature et Découverte in Montreal as well as several others in Quebec City.
The business TopFeed had its best mission ever, succeeding in convincing several Quebec organizations to purchase the rights to use its specialized software.
Finally, the new business GM Exports P.E.I. discovered potential for the sale of Island potatoes, both in five-pound and 10-pound bags for grocery stores as well as in 50-pound boxes for restaurants. Among their buyers of this fall's potatoes will be Canada Wide, J.B. Laverdure and Bonanza Lalumière.
This mission was made possible thanks to contributions from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Innovation P.E.I. Participating businesses must also pay a portion of the trip's expenses.
A fifth mission is planned for Oct. 22-26. Any Island business that has a francophone capacity and that is interested in participating is asked to contact Robert Maddix at 902-370-7333, Ext. 403.
