American dogs of all breeds will soon get to taste the best of the Sunshine Coast after a Coolum-based company formed a partnership to export its dog treats through Krispy Kreme.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the partnership between the Sunshine Coast's Huds and Toke and global food giant Krispy Kreme shows just how well Queensland businesses can perform on the world stage.
"On International Dog Day, this is a great reward for the pets who are good girls and good boys across America, and it's a great success story for Huds and Toke," the Treasurer said.
"Huds and Toke create and export all-natural treats not just for dogs, but for cats, horses, rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs.
"It's great to see success like this for a regional Queensland business."
Australian Jack Minchin, Director of Marketing for Krispy Kreme in North America, acknowledged Huds and Toke's export success.
"On International Dog Day, this strategic collaboration with Huds and Toke works perfectly with our global marketing vision of spreading joy to our consumers and now, their much-loved dogs," he said.
"Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will be stocking Huds and Toke's unique products through over 300 shops across 34 states in the US. We look forward to a long-standing relationship with Huds and Toke."
Huds and Toke's Joint CEO and Strategic Operations Officer, Russell Gibbons, said TIQ grant assistance had helped their expansion into the USA and assisted to bring the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts agreement to fruition.
"The support from TIQ has been outstanding and from early on TIQ helped us on our exporting journey," he said.
"The grant funding has been enormously helpful, assisting us with IP protection, packaging and labelling, freight and logistic solutions, to name a few.
"And here we are on International Dog Day, celebrating this fantastic partnership with Krispy Kreme - a North American giant and one of the world's most recognised brands, as we launch our joint initiative of Krispy Kreme-inspired Doggy Doughnuts.
"We are truly appreciative of the continuous support we have received from TIQ."
In addition to the US Krispy Kreme deal, Trade and Investment Queensland has provided funding support, market intelligence and valuable introductions to Huds and Toke since 2021, resulting in their successful export to Japan, Germany and Singapore.
The latest round of the highly successful Go Global Export Program grants program helping Queensland businesses export was also launched today.
The Treasurer said the fourth round of Trade and Investment Queensland's Go Global Export Program funding will provide critical support for Queensland businesses with export ambitions.
"Huds and Toke received TIQ's Go Global Export Program grant in 2021 and a TIQ New Market Program grant earlier this year," the Treasurer said.
"The $750,000 funding pool is aimed at helping Queensland businesses overcome common exporting barriers of entering new international markets, such as accreditation, logistics, product trials and packaging.
"With one in five Queensland jobs supported by exports, our ongoing support is critical.
"When we back Queensland exporters, they deliver in spades."
Match-funding grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to successful applicant businesses.
The Go Global Export Program, first launched by Trade and Investment Queensland in February 2020, has already provided over $2,000,000 in matched-funding grants to 102 businesses.
The Queensland government is investing an extra $150 million over the next decade to supercharge and deliver a new 10-year Trade and Investment Strategy.
TIQ initiatives will include expanding the international network, leveraging trade opportunities around Brisbane 2032 and assisting exporters through grant programs, such as the Go Global Export Program.
Trade and Investment Queensland is the state government's world-wide business agency with 18 offices in 14 key markets. Queensland's goods exports are now worth $116 billion.
