Westaways
Sausages go global
Westaways are professional sausage makers, who work out of a bespoke factory in Newton Abbot, Devon. They use the finest British pork to make succulent, but low fat Traditional ‘butchers’ sausages. Supplying Caterers, Butchers, Delicatessens and Food Service companies, they have the capacity to handle orders from the smallest corner shop in Devon, to pallets of sausages anywhere in the world.
As well as supplying over 500 retailers in the West Country, Westaways successfully exports its sausages to all four corners of the world and they are currently sending pallet orders to the Far East, the Mediterranean, Falkland Islands and the Caribbean.
'Understanding your customer better so is important'
Charles Baughan, Marketing Director, recognises the importance of using the language of his target market in order to maximise the company’s sales potential overseas. Charles told us that, ‘if you are prepared to make an effort to try with the language and experiment with the culture then you will ultimately understand your customer better and relate better to them.’
'Passion, persistence and patience is all important'
Charles put this to the test himself recently when he was in Portugal doing an in-store demonstration and ‘survived!’ Charles told us, ‘it was more as a result of passion, persistence and patience and having the right product also helped!’ It was so successful that he plans to do the same in France and Spain this winter.
'It is surprising what one can achieve fairly quickly'
Charles admitted that with so much going on in his business he finds it difficult to find the time to pick up language skills, but added that he tries to make a real effort when he is on the ground in another country, and that it is surprising what one can achieve fairly quickly.’
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