News Release
August 27, 2004

Comvita Secures First Export Order From China

Natural health products company Comvita Limited has secured its first export order from China. The order contributed to a record $3 million sales month in June.

Comvita staff celebrated the record month with a mystery “big day out” to the Whale Rider show at the Auckland Civic Theatre this week.

The June sales order was included in the company’s recent half year net profit announcement says Scott Coulter, Comvita Sales and Marketing Manager.

“The contract is a major achievement for Comvita. China Duty Free Group is the leading company within China’s duty free industry, responsible for over 200 duty free outlets and ranking among the world’s top 20 duty free operators.”

Comvita is one of around 30 world brand suppliers selected to attend the annual China Duty Free Group Trade Fare in Dalian next month. Graeme Boyd, Comvita CEO and Scott Coulter will launch the Comvita product range at the event.

The six figure order included Bee Propolis products, prized by many of Comvita’s Asian customers for its high antioxidant levels and to help as an immune builder. Manuka honey which is fast gaining a worldwide reputation for its powerful unique antibacterial qualities also features highly together with a selection of natural health products from the Comvita range.

China Duty Free Group has developed an impressive reputation by providing customers with quality, world-class goods and services, says Coulter.

“The Duty Free stores enable superb brand positioning for Comvita as we enter this vast market for the first time. They provide a fitting retail outlet for premium branded high quality goods.”

This is confirmed by Comvita Asia’s regional manager, Sam Tsoi, who is responsible for sales growth and distribution in Asia.

“China holds great potential for Comvita with new openings in the market due to rapid growth in the country’s middle class. China Duty Free Group also taps into the wider Asian and global market by serving international tourists.”

Exporting product to China continues Comvita’s expansion into Asia. The company has offices in Japan and Hong Kong; and has recently opened a branch office in Taiwan. Comvita has won numerous export and business awards, including the 2003 New Zealand Trade & Industry Consumer products Exporter of the Year Award.

Only last year Comvita staff enjoyed a day out in Crazy Catz Adventure Park, Taupo when the company achieved a $2 million sales month.
END

For further information contact: Scott Coulter 07-533-1426
or email Scott.Coulter@comvita.com

For media information contact: Lance Morcan 021-759-900
or email lance@carlinvalenti.com

News Release
August 2, 2004
Comvita Opens Branch Office In Taiwan

Export-oriented marketer of natural health products, Comvita Limited, has opened a branch office in Taiwan, the world’s second largest market for propolis, Comvita’s most lucrative export product.

The move adds to the company’s physical offshore presence in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia.

Taiwan is viewed by Comvita as a market of untapped potential for its health products. It has been exporting products there since the early 1990’s. The decision to open an office in Taiwan was made in order to further realise this potential.

Charged with the overall responsibility for the new project, Comvita’s sales and marketing manager Scott Coulter has led the move to establish the Comvita Taiwan Branch Office in Taipei.

“Marketing control by way of a subsidiary company will provide opportunities for flexibility on pricing, increased distribution and investment in marketing, as well as an improved margin,” he says. “It will also enable us to more effectively advertise and promote our products within the Taiwanese market, as well as closely partner our local distributors.”

Coulter says there’s a ready market in Taiwan for Comvita products based on New Zealand-sourced propolis which is recognised as being technically superior.

This is confirmed by Comvita’s Asia regional manager, Sam Tsoi, who is responsible for sales growth and distribution in Taiwan.

“Our Taiwan branch office now presents us with a key opportunity to achieve growth in sales to Taiwanese resident in that country following their initial exposure to the brand in New Zealand,” says Tsoi.

He refers to the large number of Taiwanese, and Asians generally, holidaying or residing in New Zealand who purchase Comvita products here.

“We have several outstanding opportunities lined up to capitalise on the brand awareness generated by our marketing activities in New Zealand.”

Tsoi says having a physical presence in Taiwan will facilitate growth and assist Comvita in developing the marketing infrastructure required within that unique market.

Comvita’s expansion into Taiwan is a continuation of a New Zealand export success story. It has won numerous export and business awards, including the 2003 New Zealand Trade & Industry Consumer products Exporter of the Year Award.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will provide financial assistance for the Taiwan branch office project through the Growth Services Fund. The grant will enable Comvita to advance the project and will assist with initial expenses.

The company’s long-term strategy of investing in key offshore markets seems to be paying off with export revenues making a major contribution to its profits. Comvita’s sales have been growing over the past five years at a compounded rate of 23 per cent.

END

News Release
July 19, 2004

Timely Introduction Of Children’s Elixir

Comvita’s release of its new Children’s Lemon & Honey Elixir is timely as winter ailments do the rounds of New Zealand homes, schools and pre-school facilities. Formulated to soothe throats and help clear airways, the elixir’s all-natural active ingredients make it ideal for most children over the age of two.

Comvita’s natural health consultant Caroline Davy, herself a mother of two young children, enthuses about the Children’s Lemon & Honey Elixir.

“Many elixirs for soothing throats are not particularly popular with children,” she says. “This tasty elixir was formulated specifically with children in mind.”

Davy says the real value of the elixir is in the active status of its natural ingredients.

“The health-giving effects of manuka honey are well known. New Zealand manuka honey has a worldwide reputation for its unique antibacterial properties. The UMF, or Unique Manuka Factor, rates its level of special antibacterial activity.

“The Children’s Elixir contains UMF 10+ manuka honey, propolis, apple cider vinegar, eucalyptus oil and (natural) lemon flavour,” says Davy.

The other key ingredient in the elixir is propolis which contains high levels of bioflavonoids, renowned for their exceptional antioxidant and immune-supporting properties.

A competition to name the Comvita bear, which features on the product’s new-style packaging, is currently running on the Comvita website at www.comvita.com

The Comvita children’s winter range also includes Strawberry Elixir and Lemon & Honey Lollipops.

END