Flying the Fern

Scully’s exports a wide range of natural boutique products for bath, body and home to Asia, Europe and Australia. Scully’s started as a small family-run operation in Bulls 20 years ago, but it’s gradually grown bigger and bigger, all the while keeping its commitment to the environment and its people. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to Operating Manager Sarah Parkinson and Shop Manager Juliette Arnott about:
The challenges of going from a grassroots business to a global exporter
How Scully’s satisfy different requirements for different markets, and why they decided not to adhere to China’s demands 
Why the way they operate and their company identity attracts customers
How the FernMark has supported their brand, including the resources they’ve been able to get access to
 
To find out more, head to: https://scullysnz.com/ 
Or find them on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scullysnz/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scullysnz/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/

K9 Natural pet food is sourced and produced in such a way that humans could eat it. Using high-quality ingredients from the human supply chain has a range of health benefits for animals that help our pets, and this has helped the company to play a leading role in shifting the standard of animal foods towards premium, natural, food products for cats and dogs. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to the CEO of parent company Natural Pet Food Group Neil Hinton about:
How one of the company founders spent time living with wolves in Alaska to develop the recipe 
Being in 13 markets around the world, and why they pulled back from some 
How New Zealand-grown food (especially grass-fed meat) underpins their own nutritional brand components 
Realising the way we do business in New Zealand intrinsically stands up to high ESG international standards 
Having a US private equity investor come on board, and how this impacts the way the business is run 
 
To find out more, head to: https://www.k9natural.com/ 
Or find them on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k9naturaldogfood 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9natural/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/

Fonterra is New Zealand’s leading dairy exporter, and Anchor is a $1.2 billion kiwi brand that’s been around for more than 130 years. Anchor products go to more than 80 countries, playing a huge role in the reputation of New Zealand, and New Zealand food and beverages, around the world. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to General Manager Brent Whelan about:
All the interesting countries where Anchor is a household name
Why New Zealand butter is so yellow
The significance of the company values in its success
How New Zealand farming is tracking on its journey towards being carbon zero
Their sustainability and community initiatives, and why they’re so important
 
To find out more, head to: https://www.anchordairy.com/nz/en.html 
Or find them on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anchornz/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchornewzealand/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/

Mamaku skincare products are steeped in traditional Māori practices and values that govern everything from the way these special products are made, to how the business is run by the sisters who founded Mamaku ten years ago.
They’re helping to take the beauty industry back to the future, where natural, plant-based products are seen as premium.
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to co-founder and director Tessa Davis about:
 
Getting into business with no beauty industry experience, and how they figured it out
Producing Mamaku products according to tikanga, ensuring it’s sustainable
The values that govern the way they operate, why they’re important, and how they benefit the business
What the proposition of being Māori means in overseas markets, and why it’s attractive 
 
To find out more, head to: https://mamakuskin.com/ 
Or find them on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamakuskin 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamakuskin/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/

Matta has recycled more than 60 million kilograms of PVC and rubber in the last 30 years, since the company was started by then-Ōtaki mayor Murray Scott in his garage. 
The company produces safety matting for playgrounds and industrial use all over the world, and brings a strong sustainability approach to a very niche sector. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to managing director Brent Harris about:
 
The DIY early days and pioneering recycling systems in the 1990s
Growing from a small Ōtaki startup to having overseas offices and international business
How being from New Zealand aligns with their focus on recycling and opens doors
Why they keep manufacturing in New Zealand, despite it being cheaper to go elsewhere
 
To find out more, head to https://www.mattaproducts.com/ 
Find Matta on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattaProducts 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matta_products_/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

Prolife Foods might be the biggest New Zealand brand that you’ve never heard of. It is doing business in more than 18 countries and has more than $300 million in annual revenue through its range of bulk foods, self-selection products, honey, and well-known FMCG grocery food brands. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to CEO Andrew Smith about:
The Jack and the Beanstalk-like company origin story, and starting out of a Hamilton garage 40 years ago
How Prolife Foods changed the game by partnering with a big name celebrity chef
How they’ve diversified the business, why it was necessary, and how they made it a success
Gaining traction overseas as a New Zealand business, and the big mistake many people make
The halo effect of the FernMark when it’s used by more and more businesses
To find out more, head to: https://www.prolifefoods.co.nz/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

Comvita was a wellness brand before wellness brands were even a thing. The business has become a global powerhouse, with revenue into the hundreds of millions, using natural, New Zealand products like manuka honey for their health benefits.
This episode of Flying the Fern features three generations of Comvita leadership; co-founder Alan Bougen, former CEO and current board chair Brett Hewlett and current CEO David Banfield.
Together, they talk to host David Downs about:
The lofty goals the company was started on, and how they’re only just starting to live them
Changing the way people think about honey as a health product, not just a food
The difference between being an A-grade company and being truly global
How New Zealand’s free thinking enabled the company’s growth 
How being from New Zealand automatically captures the attention of people overseas
 
To find out more, head to https://www.comvita.co.nz/ 
Find Comvita on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComvitaNZ/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comvita_nz/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

When Mike Beagley started as Rodd & Gunn's CEO, the business had around 12 stores. Now it has more than 200, all over the world. The New Zealand menswear brand has grown exponentially in the last 20 years, underpinned by humility and a commitment to doing things the right way.
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to Mike Beagley about:
The global goal that he’s never broadcast, and why
How they cracked the “toughest market” in the United States
Expanding into hospitality, and getting NZ’s only master sommelier and our only Michelin star chef involved
Adding “New Zealand” to their brand name overseas
Why they don’t talk about the sustainability journey they’re on
 
To find out more, head to https://www.roddandgunn.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddandgunnnz/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddandgunn/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

The Apple Press champions New Zealand’s “ugly fruit” - roughly 10 percent of crops that taste great, but don’t satisfy the criteria for export. The Apple Press has built a global juicing business that heroes individual varieties and adds value to what was very much an under-utilised market.
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to co-founder Sally Gallagher about:
How the company got started (including an inauspicious first meeting)
The opportunity The Apple Press saw in juicing, and how it capitalised on this
The extra value unlocked by focusing on their New Zealand-ness
Developing a brand to support its product
 
To find out more, head to https://wearepicky.co.nz/ 
Find The Apple Press on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickyjuicesandsmoothies/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weare_picky/
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 
 

Like many classic New Zealand innovators, Frank Witowski founded his company, Hybrid Bikes, in his garage. He was initially told it wouldn’t be possible, but with an engineering background and some stubborn enthusiasm, he designed a range of carbon fibre e-bikes that are now selling all over the world.
Frank’s bikes are customisable for a range of uses, and have been incredibly popular for their quality, affordability and durability. 
In this episode of Flying the Fern, host David Downs talks to Frank about:
How he developed the Hybrid e-bike with no prior cycling experience
How making his bikes affordable created another challenge to overcome
The differences between various overseas markets, and how he approached them
How easy he found it to set up a business in New Zealand
New Zealand’s advantage in being able to connect with other experienced business people
 
To find out more, head to https://hybridbikes.co.nz/ 
Find Hybrid Bikes on social media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hybridbikes.co.nz 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hybridbikesnz/ 
 
To find out more about the FernMark Licence Programme please visit https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/