Feature
The legend is back After a spell of being unavailable in the UK market, legendary carp brand Rod Hutchinson is back, with new products, better availability and a bait-industry expert among its ranks. Tackle & Guns explains all…
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egendary carp fishing brand Rod Hutchinson is set for a significant revival in the UK in 2014 with the return of Rod himself to promote the brand’s products and the appointment of bait-industry expert Pete Chandler in a sales and marketing role. The brand, which was purchased by current owner IFID Holdings around six years ago, has been somewhat of a sleeping giant in the UK trade for some time, with much of the bait only available to end users through a web store. However, the brand is now looking to kickstart a revival in the UK market with increased financial backing and the expertise of Rod and the man behind the Dynamite Baits success story, Pete Chandler. Pete, who is now the company’s sales and marketing director, explained: “I have known and worked with Rod for a long time. Dynamite Baits, in fact, used to distribute some of his products. He is a true legend of carp fishing and one of the pioneers of the modern bait market as we know it. I also know
Federico Fiamengo, the current owner, very well and when he asked me to work with him, it was an offer I could not refuse.” “Some of the original flavours and attractants that Rod created are proven fish catchers and have been for more than 30 years – they are what we will be basing the comeback of the Rod Hutchinson brand on.” Pete has been hard at work over the last three months creating a brand-new 76page trade catalogue for Rod Hutchinson, along with developing new ranges of baits and tackle, including a collection of high-performance, carp rods. “Initially we are looking to supply the top 150 specialist carp retailers in the
UK,” Pete added. “The legend is back and it is a very exciting time for us involved and also those who remember it fondly.” The product range looks set to be available to UK dealers from mid-March, with weekly deliveries available and very strong mark-ups on all items. The trade catalogue is priced in pounds sterling and is available from mid February. The company will also be putting a telesales system in place and offering specialised field sales for key accounts. Pete added: “I can tell you that Rod is very
excited to see his brand back in the game. He is a legend in the true sense of the word and carp anglers young and old will definitely be very interested in what we are planning to launch.” There will be many British carp anglers who have a great fondness for Rod Hutchinson. A pioneer of carp fishing methods, techniques and ideology in the 1970s, Rod was one of the original carp fishing celebrities and his countless books and magazine appearances have cemented him in carping folklore. He was also one of few anglers who created a successful fishing brand from his success, which looks set to continue under the ownership of IFID and with the guidance of Pete. If you’re interested in finding out more about stocking the all-new Rod Hutchinson range, you can make contact with the Rod Hutchinson team on the details below.
IFID’s Federico Fiamengo, owner of Rod Hutchinson with new marketing man Pete Chandler.
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Rod Hutchinson E: uksales@rod-h.com W: www.rodhutchinson.co.uk