April 28, 2016
Biomin's newly appointed head of its global aquaculture operations sees the whole of Asia as a market whose potential for growth is high.
Edward Manchester, who previously held the position of Biomin regional director for Southeast Asia, said during an interview with eFeedLink on Wednesday, April 27, that he was excited to take on his new job which, for him, would entail "aligning our aquaculture business strategy". His appointment took effect only last Friday, April 22.
Manchester sees Asia as that part of the world with the biggest market potential. "It's growing very fast year-on-year in terms of people getting into the aquaculture business", he says. "Within Asia there's no market that has no growth opportunity. Vietnam is a key market, so are Thailand and Indonesia. India has a very big market share, as well as China. We've made a good progress in the Philippines in terms of market share, and Myanmar as well, which has a lot a good opportunities".
Even in Europe and Latin America, Biomin is still getting growth, according to Manchester, who is attending the Asia-Pacific Aquaculture 2016 trade show in Surabaya, Indonesia. "So on a global level we still make progress".
Knowledge transfer
Manchester aims to better serve the company's customers through effective knowledge transfer. He stresses the need for communication among different regions, countries and geographical locations, or sharing knowledge on a global level.
He himself is looking to establish wider communication networks with customers and personnel within the company's aquaculture division.
With regards to new product tests, he puts much importance to the role that the research facility in Vietnam takes in bringing commercial relevance and solution to the market at a faster time. "We've got a very good research facility in Vietnam, and it can recommend products before we bring them into the commercial market".
Manchester graduated in aquaculture management in the early 1990s. He spent 12 years dealing with specialty aquaculture and another six years managing aquaculture hatcheries in Europe.
While Manchester sees his new role in Biomin as exciting, so does he see the future of aquabusiness similarly exciting.-Rick Alberto