Success in North Sydney: Gillis Seafood
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Gillis Seafood is one of eleven companies that will be recognized for their export success at the upcoming Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards on Wednesday, June 14, at Pier 21 in Halifax.
From one half ton truck and small garage, to a fleet of refrigerated delivery trucks and a modern distribution centre, Gills Seafood has been providing a high quality product to customers for over 70 years.
Today, the company supplies hundreds of restaurants, grocery stores chains and institutions throughout Eastern Canada with sustainable seafood products.
Q: What factors have contributed to your success?
A: A contributor to our success is local companies selling local companies. We also attribute success to consistency in having an excellent product, and knowing what each customer needs and expects.
Q: What do you consider will be key to your success going forward?
A: Keeping up with trends in the industry. Having our customer service a priority. It will also be important to explore new markets that can thrive from our company as well.
Q: What has been your biggest learning moment?
A: Realizing that keeping up with change in all aspects of the company is so important.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you would give to new exporters, or companies considering exporting from Nova Scotia?
A: Be honest and up front with your customers. Know the market you are trying to get into, and grow slowly.
Q: How important is exporting to your business?
A: Exporting is very important to Gillis Seafood. We are consistently looking for new business and to grow the company all the time.
Q: How did you know exporting was right for your business?
A: Our company is located in an area of small population, so exporting to where there are more customers always made sense to us.
Q: What’s the best thing about being a Nova Scotia exporter?
A: Besides living and working in the best province in Canada, it would be being so close to our product. We always have access to fresh, Atlantic seafood - something all of our customers can appreciate as well.
Q: And finally, what’s next for your business?
A: We plan to keep pushing and expanding our territory and customer base, but we also are working on expanding our lobster market with the addition of a state of the art lobster holding facility in the plant.
Come celebrate Nova Scotia's top exporters at the Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards on Wednesday, June 14. Purchase your tickets today!
Interested in export? Nova Scotia Business Inc. is dedicated to supporting the growth of business in Nova Scotia and our team of Regional Business Development Advisors is available to assess your needs and provide practical advice on taking your next steps toward growth in global markets.
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