Earthquake forges business link between Gloucestershire and China
Gloucestershire-based ICNet was on the brink of forging a joint venture with Chinese company Sichuan Yinxing Software when its potential partner's family were caught in the centre of the catastrophe.
Managing director Katie Houghton was hosting the visitors at ICNet's Painswick offices when the earthquake hit their home town of Chengdu.
"We were having a morning break from training with my business partner and his son when we saw the earthquake on the news," she said.
"They were devastated and we had a worrying few days when they couldn't make contact with their family because of lack of telecommunications.
"Eventually we did discover that all the family were safe and well.
"It completely changed the nature of their visit and they ended up staying on for some time as the airport near their home was being used by the military.
"And when they did go home they went armed with tents and food supplies – including their favourite cereal, cornflakes."
Despite the delays, ICNet has since cemented its relationship with Sichuan Yinxing and has set up a joint venture.
They are expecting their first orders for their specialist software products from customers in the Chinese healthcare market in the autumn.
ICNet produces software to help tackle MRSA and other hospital superbugs and are already supplying 500 hospitals in the UK.
The company branched into China after visiting the country as part of a UK delegation travelling with Gordon Brown earlier this year.
Katie said: "We have developed a close relationship with Sichuan Yinxing manager Liao Bangfu and his family, and were delighted we were able to help in some small way when they were victims of the terrible earthquake."
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