A story of overcoming
In their international career, they have had the support of the Andalusian Government, through Extenda-Andalucía Exportation and Foreign Investment.
Andalucía have a great moment in the international markets by reaching the record figure of 42.958 million euros in exports in 2022, with a growth of 24,3% compared to the previous year and 8.000 million more than in 2021, the last record year. This is thanks to internationally successful companies like the one from Cadiz Novaf, specialized in products that facilitate accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Novaf It is the result of a history of improvement. The one starring one of its founding partners and today the company's manager, Fernando Enriquez, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006 and who decided to put his engineering knowledge at the service of people with disabilities.
Today, the company supplies public administrations, orthopedics companies, and lifeguard companies with vehicles that facilitate access to and bathing on the coast, as well as other products such as walkers and state-of-the-art crutches. "First, we created a small, tracked vehicle. And the amphibious chair was the next step," explains Enríquez.
Thus, "our flagship product today is the amphibious chair, but we also make various types of walkers, adapted sun loungers, and crutch kits. In short, a diverse range of products that aims to facilitate access to leisure activities for people with reduced mobility outdoors or on beaches," he points out. Jesús Peña, commercial manager.
The firm based in Chiclana de la Frontera, which is the only one that manufactures amphibious chairs outside the United States that has the endorsement of the FDA, the US Food and Drug Administration
In 2010, the company was recognized with the Open Mind Award, Creativity and Innovation Award promoted by Andalusia Undertake, the definitive boost to also begin its international activity, thanks to a first commercial agenda in the US with extend.
"Our main export markets are Mexico, first of all; countries of Europe, who place orders in a more particular way; and of course, USA, "where we have a subsidiary," the manager continues.
In fact, the firm based in Chiclana de la Frontera, which is the only one that manufactures amphibious chairs outside the United States that has the endorsement of the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration), has just reached a trade agreement that promises to boost its sales in this important market of North America"We just joined Walmart Marketplace, which has 150 million customers," Enríquez points out enthusiastically.
In their international career, they have had the support of the Junta de Andalucía, through Extenda-Andalucía Export and Foreign Investment. "We have had a relationship with Extenda from the very beginning. We have had meetings in Dubai "And in the US. I would recommend Extenda to other companies because they help you a lot, they open doors that you wouldn't be able to open by cold calling," the company manager points out.
The key to their success is innovation. "R&D is everything to us, because we've even changed the screws and caps on our products," explains Inés Figueroa, partner and head of Administration and Finance.
Novaf has a promising future, which it approaches with optimism. "This year we're launching three more new products, including crutches that are unique to the market and another electric vehicle," concludes Enríquez.
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