When Mr Stanulus approached the Candy’s, asking if they could supply their ‘Carry Me Camper’ to him to market within his business throughout Europe, they indicated their interest but wished to wait a year until they had their camper refined. This year, they decided they were ready to go. “We emailed Juris with our newer model which actually didn’t suit European needs. They go four wheel driving into Africa and need the lower, more compact camper for tub body utes to suit both 4WD and 2WD,” Phil said.

The first camper was shipped to Switzerland in the end of April and the Candy’s were pleasantly surprised with the ease of the export and shipping process. “It was no more difficult than organising freight in Australia. We have also been dealing with Austrade who have been very supportive of our export venture,” Phil said. Juris brings quite a bit of ARB type camping gear from Australia to Switzerland and will be doing two shows with the ‘Carry Me Camper’ soon, the first in France in mid-August. “He will be doing all the marketing of our camper so we will just wait and see. If it happens, it happens. We have heard that Australia has the reputation for the best camping gear and there is nothing like our product to compete against it,” Sandy said.

The modest pair are not making too much of their opportunity yet, “We have seen enough changes in our business over the years that we don’t get too carried away. August is not far away though and when any orders come in, we will be excited and handle it as we go,” Phil explained. Candy Canvas currently employs 12 staff, all locals from the Tintinara district and has gone from strength to strength from its humble beginnings on the family farm in 1991. “We are really proud of our staff and love working in Tintinara,” Phil said. “We are surviving in a tough time and are really enthralled by it. Orders across the spectrum of products seem to be rolling in and we are so happy we have been able to retain all staff,” Sandy said.

Candy Canvas has really tapped into a unique market and is extremely customer driven and focussed. Each year, from 2003, the Candy’s have held a ‘Carry Me Camper’ corroboree and tag along tour at various destinations throughout the country from Silverton, to Lightning Ridge and the Gawler Ranges and a tour along the iconic Durack Cattle Track. Last years event attracted 160 eager campers at the get together and 10-12 vehicles following on the tag along tour. It is a non-profit event that the Candy’s look forward to every year, always planning something new, unique and special for the next one. “We do it for product development and keeping in touch with our customers and their ideas. They are all tarred with the same brush – laid back, happy to have a yarn. A lot of knowledge is shared and amazing conversations had,” Phil said. “We also find we are often helping those new to camping. It is like a mini training tour, teaching them how to get the most out of camping and how to use the camper,” he said.