A western suburbs manufacturer will use a State Government grant to promote their coffee pods online, to boost exports to international markets.

Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said $49,800 from the Export Partnership Program will help PODiSTA develop an innovative e-commerce website tailored to different countries.

“The Export Partnership Program is helping South Australian exporters to explore and grow global markets,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“The Export Partnership Program is part of a targeted strategy by government to support exporters through facilitation services, diplomacy, awareness raising and critical funding to address the cost of export marketing activities.

“PODiSTA manufacturer Podpac is a South Australian success story, having secured exports of their coffee pods to the United States, Hong Kong and mainland China.”

Podpac Managing Director Toby Strong said the funding would enable access to the global marketplace.

“The funding will help us to invest in a system where all websites will have a common look and feel, but we will be able to quickly and easily dispatch new websites tailored to each countries unique requirements,” Mr Strong said.

“This includes localisations such as language, currency and contact details, which will allow us to reach potential customers all over the world from our manufacturing base here in Adelaide.

“Ideally, we see no limit to which country can be reached – for us, anyone who enjoys great pod coffee is a potential customer.

“We are beginning our international push in the UK, USA and Canada. Longer term, we are planning to enter all of Europe, Asia, South America and eventually most of the world.
“Our products are already sold in several countries throughout the world and this export grant will help us to expand on this at a much faster rate than what may have been possible otherwise.”
Podpac is one of 20 companies being offered a combined total of $450,406 in funding under the second round of the EPP.

Companies may apply for the future rounds via www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/epp.