On February 14 it was reported that at the initiative and with the support of the Armenian Embassy in Canada Armenia-made Mankan toys entered the Canadian market and are available on the Reptilia network.

Banks.am decided to find out details and talked to the director of Mankan LLC Varuzhan Gyurjyan and Reptilia Inc. CEO Brian Child.

Reptilia Inc. has, since its founding in 1996, sold plush toys most of which were imported from China by Canadian wholesalers. Brian Child says the supply chain, quality and pricing have varied a bit over the years. When the Covid issue arose, supply became sporadic and the gift shops were often short of stock.  

With some research by company’s purchasing department they determined that not only did Armenia have some excellent manufacturers of the products they sell but they were much closer to Canada such that the shipping time was cut by a significant amount.  

“Armed” with this information, Brian Child contacts the Armenian Ambassador to Canada Anahit Harutyunyan who puts them in touch with Mankan.

Brian says through the Ambassador – including her visiting Mankan during a trip last August to see the factory – she arranged to have Mankan provide a number of samples.  

“The samples were reviewed and we made a decision based on their superior quality, to place an initial order for 10,000 units,” Brian Child says.

The director of Mankan Varuzhan Gyurjyan notes that they have not worked with Canada before and the offer came as a really good surprise.

“They found us in Canada thanks to the Armenian Ambassador Anahit Harutyunyan. She created the opportunity to learn about us. Then she found business partners and introduced us to them. The Ambassador herself led the whole partnership process. Through her we communicated with the customers. The Ambassador has done a great job,” Varuzhan says.



Mankan director says it is not easy to export products to Canada especially in conditions of logistic chaos in the world due to the pandemic. But Brian Child reiterates that unlike China the products from Armenia are delivered in shorter period of time and that the process is more predictable.

Are Mankan’s manufacturing capacities enough to satisfy Reptilia’s demand? Brian Child’s answer is unequivocal.

 
“Yes at the moment. Even during their busy period they manufactured the 10,000 units in about 6 weeks. Very high quality and excellent design are the hallmarks of the first shipment.”

Varuzhan Gyurjyan says the Canadian order coincided with the New Year holiday period when they had many local orders.

“But we managed to handle it. We worked hard during that period, but everything was done perfect.”

The Canadian side chose and ordered the items itself. Varuzhan Gyurjyan says Reptilia is parent company of Canada’s largest reptile zoos and the plush toys from Mankan are sold in its facilities.

Speaking about the prospects of future cooperation, Brian Child said, “Ultimately business decisions are made based on Guest Satisfaction.  To date with our sell through being gauged weekly, we have noticed a very favorable bump in units sold over the Chinese products.”

Ara Tadevosyan
Lusin Mkrtchyan