Accident introduces heatpacks to Iranians

7:38pm Friday 25th April 2008

AN Iranian businessman has almost literally fallen' head over heels for a Whitefield company's products!

And that has sealed an exclusive one-year deal between bosses of Bury Old Road-based Herbal Heatpack Company and major Iranian healthcare and pharmaceutical distributor, Pharmed.

Earlier, Dr Eghbal of Pharmed was visiting family in the UK with his wife when she tripped in the street and sprained her ankle.

The Herbal Heatpack product they immediately purchased at an independent pharmacy was considered a cost-effective and efficient buy and was taken back to Iran in the couple's suitcase.

On their return, Dr Eghbal showed the product to his colleagues. Later, managing director Afshin Hashemiu approached the Herbal Heatpack Company's Ian Caplan and Ian Jacobson, about the prospects of brokering a deal. As a result, Pharmed is trialling 3,000 Heatpack products.

Herbal Heatpack Company, Europe's biggest producer of wheat and lavender-filled microwavable soothing packs and stuffed animals, was established in 1996. They now supply to more than 5,000 UK outlets and already exports into seven countries.

The Whitefield firm, which has a factory in Cheshire,employs around 30 people.

Ian Jacobson, co-managing director, said: "This was a great win for us in its own right, but the fact that Dr Eghbal was a satisfied customer who wanted to get involved in our business is something for us to be immensely proud of."

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