NEWS
The legend is back
After being unavailable for a short time, legendary carp brand Rod Hutchinson is set for a revival in 2014 under Italian ownership, while enlisting the help of a bait-industry expert. Tackle Trade World uncovers its plans for European expansion and beyond. FAMOUS carp fishing brand Rod Hutchison is set for a significant revival in 2014 with aims of conquering European markets in the pipeline. The company, which has been a sleeping giant for several years, is now owned by Italian firm IFID Holdings and has recruited the help of bait-market guru Pete Chandler as sales and marketing director in its bid for expansion. Pete is widely regarded as the catalyst behind the UK and European success of British brand Dynamite Baits and is hoping to emulate similar achievements with Rod Hutchinson. “This brand was started by Rod Hutchinson himself and he will be back involved again in this new push,” Pete told TTW. “He is a true legend of carp fishing and one of the pioneers of the modern bait market as we know it. 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. “When I was approached by Federico Fiamengo,
the owner of IFID, about this role, it is something I could not turn down. Having worked with Rod in the past, I know the passion and credibility that he brings as a genuine angling celebrity. The legend is back and it is a very exciting time for us involved and also the carp anglers who admire Rod.” Pete has spent the last three months creating a brand-new 76page trade catalogue that will be available to all European dealers very soon. Rod Hutchinson products will be available from March 2014 and through weekly deliveries from IFID’s headquaters in Italy. Pete and the team have already secured one European distributor, French firm
Fishing Partners. French retailers can contact Jerome on: serviceclient@fishing-partners.com or +33 2 53 48 08 00. “Initially the countries we are targeting are the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Serbia, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria and Greece. We want to hear from wholesalers and distributors in those countries interested in taking the new bait collection
Contact French distributor Jerome Fresneau of Fishing Partners on: service-client@fishing-partners.com
as well as the new fishing tackle range on offer,” added Pete. A highlight of the new bait line-up from the brand is the Instant Attractor range – a collection of boilies made in the same unique flavours that Rod originally created back in the 1970s. Alongside that, the brand is offering some terrific-value carp rods and is expected to launch bivvies and luggage later in the year. “We are in talks to appear at this year’s EFTTEX,” revealed Pete. “There you will see this is a very serious venture.” To enquire about IFID’s Federico Fiamengo, becoming a wholesaler owner of Rod Hutchinson, or distributor, contact with new marketing man exports@rod-h.com. Pete Chandler (right).
www.tackletradeworld.com
25