Cognis Opens Branch Office in New Zealand

Up until now, Cognis’ products have been distributed by Henkel New Zealand, but with the opening of the new office, it will manage the marketing and sales of its products in New Zealand directly.

04/03/09 Global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis has opened a branch office in Auckland, New Zealand to manage the marketing and sales of its products in the country. The decision to open the office reflects the significant opportunity that exists to profitably grow both Cognis’ existing and new business in New Zealand. It will further strengthen the company’s ties with its local customers, and improve its understanding of local consumer markets.

As a global supplier of innovative specialty chemicals for the wellness and sustainability markets, Cognis has achieved success by focusing on areas with high growth potential. This is why the company is increasingly devoting resources to its operations in the Asia-Pacific region, which is now its third biggest market behind Europe and North America. Up until now, Cognis’ products have been distributed by Henkel New Zealand, but with the opening of the new office, it will manage the marketing and sales of its products in New Zealand directly.

The office will represent the interests of all three of Cognis’ strategic business units (SBUs) – Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, and Functional Products. It will be responsible for strengthening relationships with existing customers, identifying and initiating new business opportunities, and promoting the Cognis brand. A New Zealand Market Segment Manager has been appointed for each SBU: Peter Gibson for Care Chemicals, Vinod Sareen for Functional Products, and Domnic Lobo for Nutrition & Health.

Roger Taylor, Cognis’ Legal Representative for Australia, who is also responsible for the company’s operations in New Zealand, says: “The new branch office in New Zealand will help us to understand the local market even better, and anticipate developments there at an earlier stage. A local presence will further strengthen our customers’ trust in us, and help us give them the competitive edge they need to succeed. We see a significant opportunity to profitably grow our existing business plus develop new business, and by taking direct control of sales and distribution, we hope to exploit this.”