Tying the export knot
The Supercatex event showcases a vast array of products and services from companies looking to trade with enterprises from Central and Eastern Europe.
"We are like a marriage bureau," says organizer James O'Sullivan. "We are interested in bilateral trade and our function involves sitting down with businesspeople here in Poland, discussing what they want and then putting them in touch. If they want to marry, its up to them, they don't have to."
Those attending the exhibition were offered details from around 250 British firms and 50 American businesses on display. If the required service couldn't be found Supercatex (an abbreviation of Super Catalogue Exhibition) endeavors to source the business connection.
Among the more obscure enquiries O'Sullivan received during the two-day tour was from a medical supplier looking for a British export firm to handle deliveries of colostomy bags to Romania. "An unusual request, I grant you, but we are now searching for someone who can handle this for him," O'Sullivan said.
General manager of a food import and export firm called Grażyna, Maciek Polak, said: "I saw the exhibition advertised on the Internet. We are looking for companies that can help us export products across Europe and Turkey. We've come here and we are very open about what is on offer."
Leading brand names, including Royal Worcester pottery and Perkins machinery, were listed alongside more obscure but equally popular offerings.
"One of our big surprises is the Terraseed company that supplies agriculturalists with synthetic strips that are pre-sown with seeds. These carpet-like strips are simply rolled out and tended, doing away with ploughing, sowing and cultivation.
"Another great product that always does well is the everlasting candle. Really, there is a tremendous variety on offer."
Supercatex has been touring Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic since 1997 and this year its American operation, run by Larry Deckant offered the opportunity to do business with the States.
"We are like a marriage bureau," says organizer James O'Sullivan. "We are interested in bilateral trade and our function involves sitting down with businesspeople here in Poland, discussing what they want and then putting them in touch. If they want to marry, its up to them, they don't have to."
Those attending the exhibition were offered details from around 250 British firms and 50 American businesses on display. If the required service couldn't be found Supercatex (an abbreviation of Super Catalogue Exhibition) endeavors to source the business connection.
Among the more obscure enquiries O'Sullivan received during the two-day tour was from a medical supplier looking for a British export firm to handle deliveries of colostomy bags to Romania. "An unusual request, I grant you, but we are now searching for someone who can handle this for him," O'Sullivan said.
General manager of a food import and export firm called Grażyna, Maciek Polak, said: "I saw the exhibition advertised on the Internet. We are looking for companies that can help us export products across Europe and Turkey. We've come here and we are very open about what is on offer."
Leading brand names, including Royal Worcester pottery and Perkins machinery, were listed alongside more obscure but equally popular offerings.
"One of our big surprises is the Terraseed company that supplies agriculturalists with synthetic strips that are pre-sown with seeds. These carpet-like strips are simply rolled out and tended, doing away with ploughing, sowing and cultivation.
"Another great product that always does well is the everlasting candle. Really, there is a tremendous variety on offer."
Supercatex has been touring Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic since 1997 and this year its American operation, run by Larry Deckant offered the opportunity to do business with the States.
