Zhik conquers global markets with hands-on hard work

by Jeni Bone on 9 Nov 2010 Brian Connolly, CEO of Zhik – makers of premium quality, dry-gear for sailing – describes the company as similar in culture and ethos to a 'high-tech start-up company'. 'That’s my background. We really have an innovation focus and global perspective.'

Resembling some of the now-behemoth global brands (such as Google), Zhik is also all hands on deck, no matter what the task. As we speak, Connolly is busy preparing spag bol for the troops, all 10 of them, since it’s his day to make lunch.

And that’s what has fuelled Zhik to 300% growth since 2008 – 'hard work, quality product and pounding the pavement to get our gear out there'.

On October 28, Zhik was awarded the NSW Premier’s Export Award in the hotly contested Small Business Category. The award recognises export achievement by an Australian business, and was presented by the NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally.

As Connolly recounts, he had to be persuaded to enter. 'We have a bit of a reputation out there and people know of us. We have been asked on a few occasions to get our applications in. My immediate thought was ‘this will be too hard and time-consuming’. But it wasn’t hard, just filling out some numbers and some of our details. We got in to the finals, then went to the Awards night, and won it!'

The Award was for 'outstanding export achievement by any business with total annual sales not exceeding $3 million', and as Connolly observes, Zhik was the only marine company at the event.

'We were elated. Zhik was the only product-based company in the category. Not a fancy, social networking, or add-on businesses doing next generation things. Yes, we have high-tech fabrics and innovative designs, but our business has grown the old fashioned way – hard work, good product and word of mouth.'

The Zhik formula is simple: 'Make good stuff and sell it overseas. We pounded the pavement, got it in the hands of the people who used it every day, and they have spread the word.'

The company was founded in September 2003 as a two-man operation, but it wasn’t until late 2004 that the range emerged. In 2005, Zhik began making overtures to export markets, realising Australia was only a small market for another niche market. 'We had to have a global focus. And that’s been recognised now!'

The company has grown organically, doubling turnover each year. 'Since China Olympics in 2008, we have grown 300%,' reports Connolly.

'We are now expanding our focus to include apparel and gear for the bigger boats, ocean racing and ‘around the cans’ racing. And some of the champions are now wearing the Isotak gear that we launched last year. They are well regarded and starting to tell their friends.'

'When you get the products, design, style, fabrics right, it all comes together. We are starting to give some of the more established European brands a run for their money.'

Connolly says he and his fellow Zhik zealots are 'ridiculously ambitious!'

'We have a whole lot of other categories to fill, more markets, more market share to snatch, more things to do better.'

The Australian Export Awards will be decided 1 December, to be held at the Sydney Town Hall.

More at www.zhik.com