Helping Australian wine companies grow exports

From the vineyards of McLaren Vale, Zonte’s Footstep is building on its success in the domestic market through opportunities in global markets including Canada, the UK, USA and Asia.

One of Zonte’s loyal customers, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, recently increased its supply order. A milestone in the company’s export journey, this secured Zonte’s position as the largest imported brand in the Board’s esteemed 'vintages’ segment.

With increased pressure on its cashflow and long customer repayment terms, Zonte’s needed an alternative source of finance – and Efic stepped in to help.

'The introduction of the Small Business Export Loan (SBEL) has been fantastic for small business exporters like Zonte’s. The ability to do a simple online application that provides the added flexibility of choosing our own terms was brilliant. It was important for us to be able to set the terms around what we felt we were able to deliver, and Efic provided us with the flexibility to do that’, said Zonte’s Managing Director Anna Fisher.

The SBEL gives growing export businesses the opportunity to tailor loan repayment terms for unsecured loans, which can be as little as $50,000 up to $250,000. The online application is quick and simple, with funds available in as little as nine business days.

‘We received a $250,000 loan with a 12-month repayment term. It really helped us manage our working capital. If we hadn't gotten the funding from Efic, it would have been extremely difficult to fulfil our orders. Efic has given us the confidence to keep moving forward’, said Fisher.

Find out more about Efic’s Small Business Export Loan on the Efic website, or call Efic on 1800 740 557 or email eficdirect@efic.gov.au