Following our recent Export Action Plan showcase at GTR UK, we spoke to each of our competition finalists about their plans for export success.
Company name: Sea Chips
Website: www.sea-chips.co.uk
Representative:Daniel Pawson
What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?
Sea Chips is the UK’s first salmon skin crisp company. We upcycle the nutritious but often wasted salmon skin into delicious, healthy crisps. The business is aiming to be stocked by further retailers, release new flavours and cement its market presence.
How are the exports going?
Exploring the export market has been a focus for 2019. We have recently sent our first orders out to Ireland and the Cayman Islands. We are now looking towards the USA and Hong Kong. It seems to be a slow and sometimes difficult process.
How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?
The Action Plan identified areas that we need to consider further and research before accepting large pallet orders.
How have you found the experience of the final today?
The final was a useful experience to gain insight into other start-up business’ plans and questions posed by the judging panel. The day helped with our pitching experience which will be useful for future events when showcases our brand.
What tips would you give to other new exporters?
Spend time identifying key customers and routes to market. Find good contacts to help your business. We have found the support, experience and knowledge from business partners’ indispensable in implementing our export plan. There are many regional government backed schemes to help.
About Sea Chips
Sea Chips are the UK’s first handcrafted salmon skin crisps. The business uses the nutrient-packed skin by-product and upcycles them into light, nutritious crisps consisting of three flavours – Lightly Salted, Salt & Vinegar and Lime & Chilli. The Founders’ vision was to create a highly nutritious and innovative snack product using fish by-products with an aim to improve diets, combat food waste and improve the sustainability of the UK food system.
The company’s founders are Dan and Dom. The Sea Chips team are then supported by its main investor, Jonathan Brown, who is an industry leader in the salmon market. Production is based in Cumbria at the state of the art accredited facilities, ready for full-scale production. The business plan focuses on key export markets (Asia, Europe, Australia and USA) to drive significant sales and growth.
Research shows that the UK fish industry generates a significant amount of waste; it has been estimated that for each tonne of fish eaten, over a tonne of fish material is discarded either as waste or a low-value by-product.
Our crisps are one of the highest natural protein snacks on the market (62% protein) and one bag contains all the omega 3 you need for a day, as well as other key nutrients and are very low in carbohydrates.
