Petlife International Ltd
Petlife, based in Bury St Edmunds and with a staff of 38, manufacture bedding for domestic pets and supplies medicines and other ancillary products to the animal healthcare industry. With a turnover of £3million, the company exports its products worldwide, with particular focus on Europe, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong.
Communication difficult despite English speakers' presence
In collaboration with another UK business, Petlife have recently established an operation in China. As they manufacture unique bedding products, specialist machinery was shipped to China for use in production.
“Communicating with the Chinese at first was very difficult, although most people we met could speak some English and had English names. Nevertheless, it was a somewhat terrifying experience going from Hong Kong to mainland China!” says John Hancock, Managing Director.
Company held in higher esteem
John was joined by Marketing Manager Sheila Facer in attending a Chinese course delivered by video-conferencing out of a rural training centre in Eye, Suffolk. Asked whether it was worth the time and effort to learn Chinese, the reply was an unequivocal ‘Yes!’ “Learning Chinese has shown our contacts that we have made an effort, and this can only help with the cooperation you get, and gives the impression that we are not simply after low prices. The world is getting smaller, so we cannot expect everyone to speak English. Learning Chinese has given us confidence in going to a country and culture that’s so different – a confidence in the ability to handle ourselves. You are also held in higher esteem” says John.
Petlife have translated their business cards into Chinese (on the back) and are in the process of translating their product information booklets. Petlife are hoping that by showing a commitment to learning Chinese we can not only develop our Chinese manufactured product for world wide sales but take advantage of the growing Chinese economy and establish a market for our product in their growing pet sector.
Visit the Petlife website at www.vetbed.co.uk
