BLT
19/03/2015 11:28
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1128 HRS BLIS Technologies Limited
GENERAL: BLT: New Offshore Marketing Configuration for BLIS Technologies
New Offshore Marketing Configuration for BLIS Technologies
NZX-listed BLIS Technologies Limited has announced a reconfiguration of its
offshore marketing arrangements in line with its strategy of broadening its
product offering beyond ingredients and into finished products of BLIS
K12(TM) and BLIS M18(TM) oral health probiotics.
US-based Stratum Nutrition had been distributing BLIS ingredients in North
America, Europe and Asia since 2012. Following a recent review of the
ingredient sales and marketing strategy in conjunction with Stratum Nutrition
a new arrangement has been signed where Stratum Nutrition will now focus
solely on North America - the US and Canada - while BLIS will manage all
other markets.
BLIS Technologies chief executive Dr Barry Richardson said the change in
relationship between BLIS and Stratum Nutrition is a natural evolution as
elements of the BLIS strategy begin to fall into place.
Dr Richardson said the company's new Dunedin manufacturing plant is
operational making lozenges and nutritional formulations for the local market
under the BLIS brand as well as supplying finished products to overseas
markets.
"Stratum Nutrition is primarily an ingredient business whereas our company
has been steadily adding a range of finished product. We want to retain the
expertise of Stratum in that North American ingredients market but become
more directly involved in finished product markets in Europe and Asia. At
this stage we have no intent to develop a North American presence in finished
product. We have enough to do in Europe and Asia."
Working with Stratum, BLIS has been experiencing growth in ingredient sales
in North America. Dr Richardson said the company's increasing ingredient
sales over the past 12 months is due to North American consumer product sales
with BLIS K12(TM) although BLIS M18(TM) is also starting to get attention as
well.
"Both Stratum and ourselves are agreed it will be of greater benefit for BLIS
if Stratum continues to focus strongly on the US and Canada to build
ingredient sales there. Stratum will continue to have an exclusive
arrangement for these markets as we believe they are ideally positioned to
grow ingredient sales in that sector and we have a good working
relationship."
The new arrangement includes a Stratum Nutrition-funded clinical trial of
BLIS K12(TM) or BLIS M18(TM) either in North America or Canada. Clinical
trials in Italy and India have consistently reinforced the efficacy of BLIS
K12(TM) and BLIS M18(TM).
Richardson said the reconfiguration presents an opportunity to become more
intimately involved in our European and Asian markets. This includes
bringing on board a new business manager for the Asia Pacific region, Dr Paul
Donohoe, to improve penetration into Asia Pacific regions, especially Japan,
Taiwan and South Korea.
"The timing is right. We have good existing relationships but now we will go
much more deeply into understanding those consumer markets."
END
About BLIS
BLIS Technologies Limited was formed to commercialise BLIS (Bacteriocin-Like
Inhibitory Substances) producing probiotic bacteria developed in research by
Professor John Tagg from the University of Otago. BLIS K12(TM) and BLIS
M18(TM) are patented oral probiotics providing advanced protection for the
upper respiratory system, gums and teeth. These special strains of
Streptococcus salivarius have been scientifically proven in oral
applications.
The company has developed unique consumer products for throat health,
halitosis and probiotic support for the body. Further information and product
details can be found at www.blis.co.nz.
________________________
Dr Barry Richardson
For further comment contact:
Dr Barry Richardson 021 664 742
For media assistance contact:
Shar Carlini 021 509 905
End CA:00262057 For:BLT Type:GENERAL Time:2015-03-19 11:28:44
