British company signs MOU with Orient International at CIIE

Ross McMahon at his CIIE stall 

As one of the many deals and commitments to come out of the first China International Import Ex-po (CIIE), Kendal Nutricare signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Orient International Shanghai Foreign Trade on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The MOU will last for ten years and is worth a minimum of £350 million for the British company, which specializes in full cream milk infant formula. John Edwards, from the British Consul, wit-nessed the signing.

CEO of Kendal Nutricare, Ross McMahon, said, “It’s very exciting because it’s a big commitment by Orient International to work long term with us. It gives both companies a reason to invest and think long-term about everything we do.”

Ross McMahon shows off his product as part of British PM Theresa May's business delegation earlier this year

This isn’t the first time that McMahon has been to China. Earlier this year, he became known as "the milkman" online, when he arrived as part of a delegation with British Prime Minister Theresa May, stepping off the plane for photographs with two tins of formula powder. The business owner, who bought the failing factory from Heinz in 2015, has turned it into a first-class company, reaching a number of countries and entering over 15,000 shops so far.

On President Xi’s opening speech, McMahon says, “There is a huge growing middle class in China, and they want to buy international quality products. This economy can now grow, not just through exporting, but also by consuming internally. Xi intends to raise the income levels of his own people, so they are able to spend more."

McMahon signs an MOU with Orient International on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

McMahon adds that the CIIE has been very well organized. “I think President Xi and the Shanghai municipality have provided a fantastic venue and the bill quality is excellent. This gives us a pres-ence on the world stage.”

The first CIIE, which runs until this Saturday, has been a resounding success, seeing over 3,600 companies from the world arrive in Shanghai to show their products and technologies.