Exhibition’s connections a cut above the rest

For Dave Salisbury, general manager of Tullen Snips, it is the China Import and Export Fair that helped him make his cutting scissors business a reality.

In 2016, Salisbury came up with the idea of reopening Tullen Snips, an iconic New Zealand brand of cutting scissors, as he had trouble in unpacking rigid Christmas gifts with blunt scissors.

The cutting scissor brand was established in New Zealand in the 1970s and was famous and welcomed by consumers around the world. More than 20 million scissors were produced, with 90 percent of them exported to more than 30 countries and regions.

Unfortunately, the product disappeared in the New Zealand market since its production was shifted to the United Kingdom after the company was purchased by UK shaver manufacturer Wilkinson Sword in the mid-1980s.

Formally a dealer in metals, Salisbury then decided to bring Tullen Snips back to New Zealand.

After registering the business, Salisbury said he was confronted with difficulties in producing and designing products according to clients’ requirements.

On the suggestion of the New Zealand China Trade Association, the executive attended the Canton Fair in 2017 to seek products and manufacturers.

At the fair Salisbury found a cutting tools manufacturer from Shantou, Guangdong province.

By browsing products and asking some technical questions, the manager finally made a deal with the manufacturer.

“The quality of the products it made was out of my expectation and it was an ideal cooperative partner,” Salisbury recalled when he received the product sample.

These products branded with Tullen Snips were popular among consumers when it was launched in the New Zealand market, according to Salisbury.

To this end, Salisbury has set up a studio for product design and production to strengthen cooperation with the Shantou-based company.

At present, Tullen Snips has become a household brand in New Zealand.

Invited as a guest, Salisbury also delivered speeches at the online promotion activities ahead of the opening of the 129th Canton Fair online.

Canton Fair made his dream of reviving the glory of Tullen Snips a reality, and the amazing fair is an indispensable platform for him to conduct cooperation with Chinese businesses, Salisbury said.