New marketing firm for N.Z. products in U.S.

Press, 10 August 1981, Page 7

New marketing firm for N.Z. products in U.S.

By

JOHN HUTCHISON

Seattle An American who spent two years in business in New Zealand is now developing a marketing firm in Seattle for New Zealand companies. He is Mr Peter Rachtman. who founded South Pacific Associates, Ltd. in May. 1981. He reports sales of highperformance, custom-built sailing craft and wetweather gear and sees markets for a New Zealand liqueur and porcelain figurines.

He will visit New Zealand at the end of July to consult clients, including Seacraft. Ltd. of Auckland, and Antares Trading Company. Ltd. of Wellington. . He has sold a 15m Brin Wilson sloop and has just

been retained by Antares Trading, which will deliver in Seattle next year a 15m sloop designed by Mr John Spencer. He has also announced sales of two 7.5 m Seacraft motor-sailers and four 4m Seacraft sailing dories.

The wet-weather clothing, designed by Mr Peter Blake for Dorlon Products, of Auckland, has been placed with four ships’ chandleries of the Crow’s Nest group.

Mr Raciitman is researching the market for Titoki, the liqueur made by Balic Estate Wines, of Auckland, and is negotiating with a large department store group to carry figurines from Hereford Fine China, a Hamilton company.

Noting that the Department of Trade and Industry

had recently estimated that a New Zealand company faced costs of $lOO,OOO to start an office in the United States. Mr Rachtman said that his firm offered an economical alternative. Seattle. and the state of Washington. provided a market of 3.5 million people which had many similarities, particularly in marine and outdoor aspects, with New Zealand.

Mr Rachtman first went to New Zealand as a film distributor. joining Everard Film. Ltd. and bringing in the “Wilderness Family” films. He was a co-producer of the award-winning documentary, "On the Run.” which featured New Zealand athletes. He married a New Zealander, the former Miss Hazel Goldwater. of Devonport.