Boom times over animal skin care

Jules Smith and Pete Gregory. Photo / Chris Rudsdale

The founder of Whangarei company WashBar said companies hoping to scrub up and present themselves to a global market should dive head first into international trade delegations.

After starting out as a small, home-based dog soap company, WashBar has celebrated four years in business and is glowing after a trade mission to Taiwan.

WashBar outgrew the family home, taking over spare bedrooms, the garage and a Portacom, according to founder Jules Smith. "The space has given us the room to get trucks in and out with pallets of products."

The company specialises in natural skin and coat care for horses and dogs.

The new base in Whangarei has given WashBar the flexibility to add to the team, with Ms Smith planning more new roles as the export markets grow.

WashBar is now sold in Australia, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Sweden.

Ms Smith's husband Pete Gregory joined the team two years ago and is now heading up export sales. In March, he joined a trade delegation to Taiwan with senior members of Trade and Enterprise, Export NZ and other business leaders.

Mr Gregory said the trade delegation was a vital networking opportunity.

"I'd recommend businesses interested in export take advantage of these delegations, they can help fast track opportunities or give you a worthwhile reality check," he said.

The business started with a single bar of soap when a friend asked Ms Smith to develop a solution for her dog, which had flea allergy dermatitis.

WashBar is now stocked in around 550 outlets throughout New Zealand.