Having determined the best international markets for your products, you now need to evaluate the most profitable way to get your products to potential customers in these markets. There are many strategies a company can choose to expand internationally. These include exporting (direct and indirect), joint ventures, strategic alliances, acquisitions of foreign companies through direct investment or licensing technology abroad.
The benefits and risks associated with each method are contingent on many factors, including the type of product or service you produce, the need for product or service support, and the foreign economic, political, business and cultural environment you are seeking to penetrate. The best strategy will depend on your firm’s level of resources and commitment, and the degree of risk you are willing to incur.
Experienced international executives often say a company contemplating international expansion must be knowledgeable of the market it is seeking to enter. Since a variety of complex issues may arise (the need to terminate a poorly performing representative, for example), it is important to be familiar with the business, legal and social environment of each market you are pursuing.
This is especially true if you are considering establishing a joint venture with a foreign partner. Foreign joint ventures are often accomplished through a licensing or off-shore production agreement. Licensing involves a contractual agreement whereby you assign the rights to manufacture or distribute your product or service to a foreign company or individual. Off-shore production usually involves establishing your own facility in the target market or subcontracting the manufacturing of your product to an existing organization. Licensing and off-shore production are discussed in Chapter Eight, “Strategic Alliances and Foreign Investment Opportunities.”
Of the various methods of foreign market entry, exporting is most commonly used by small businesses. Start-up costs and risks are limited, and profits can be realized early on. Exporting can be achieved directly or indirectly. The direct method typically requires an exporter to locate a foreign buyer and then make all arrangements for shipping the products overseas. If this method seems beyond the scope of your in-house capabilities at this time, do not abandon the idea of exporting. Consider indirect exporting utilizing an export intermediary.
Many small businesses export indirectly by using an export intermediary. There are several kinds of export intermediaries to consider. They include the following:
Commissioned agents act as “brokers,” linking your product or service with a specific foreign buyer. Generally, the agent or broker will not fulfill the orders, but rather pass them to you for your acceptance. However, in some cases they may assist with export logistics, such as packing, shipping and export documentation.
EMCs act as your “off-site” export department, representing your product — along with the products of other companies — to prospective overseas purchasers. The management company looks for business on behalf of your company and takes care of all aspects of the export transaction. Hiring an EMC is often a viable option for smaller companies that lack the time and expertise to break into international markets on their own.
EMCs often will use the letterhead of your company, negotiate export contracts and then provide after-sales support. EMCs may assist in arranging export financing, but they do not generally guarantee payment to manufacturers. Some of the specific functions an EMC perform include:
EMCs usually operate on a commission basis, although some work on a retainer while some take title to the goods they sell, making a profit on the markup. It is becoming increasingly common for EMCs to take title to goods.
ETCs perform many of the functions of EMCs. However, they tend to be demand-driven and transaction-oriented, acting as an agent between the buyer and seller. Most trading companies source U.S. products for their overseas buyers. If you offer a product that is competitive and popular with ETC buyers, you are likely to get repeat business. Most ETCs will take title to your goods for export and will pay your company directly. This arrangement practically eliminates the risks manufacturers incur with exporting.
ETC cooperatives are U.S. government-sanctioned co-ops of companies with similar products who seek to export and gain greater foreign market share. Many agricultural concerns have benefited from ETC cooperative exporting, and many associations have sponsored ETC cooperatives for their member companies. Check with your particular trade association for further information.
Note: The Export Trading Company Act of 1982 encourages the use and formation of EMCs/ETCs by changing the antitrust and banking environments under which these companies operate. The Act increases access to export financing by permitting bank holding companies to invest in ETCs and reduces restrictions on trade finance provided by financial institutions. Under the Act, banks are allowed to make equity investments in qualified ETCs.
Some of the world’s largest trading companies are located outside the United States. They often can be a source of export opportunity. United States & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) representatives in embassies around the world can tell you more about trading companies located in a given foreign market.
Working with an EMC/ETC makes sense for many small businesses. The right relationship, if structured properly, can bring enormous benefits to the manufacturer. But no business relationship is without its potential drawbacks. The manufacturer should carefully weigh the pros and cons before entering into a contract with an EMC/ETC. Some advantages include:
Some disadvantages of exporting through an intermediary include:
Export merchants and agents will purchase and then repackage products for export, assuming all risks selling to their customers. This export intermediary option should be considered carefully, as your company could run the risk of losing control over your product’s pricing and marketing in overseas markets.
Allowing another company, which already has an export distribution system in place, to sell your company’s product in addition to its own is called “piggyback” exporting. Piggyback exporting has several advantages. This arrangement can help you gain immediate foreign market access. Also, all the requisite logistics associated with selling abroad are borne by the exporting company.
Small businesses often report that intermediaries find them — at trade fairs and through trade journals where their products have been advertised — so it can often pay to get the word out that you are interested in exporting. One way to begin your search for a U.S.-based export intermediary is in the Yellow Pages of your local phone directory. In just a few initial phone calls, you should be able to determine whether indirect exporting is an option you want to pursue further.
The National Association of Export Companies (NEXCO) (www.nexco.org) and the Federation of Export Associations (FEA) are two associations that can assist in your efforts to find export intermediaries. The U.S. DOC’s Office of Export Trading Company Affairs (OETCA) (www.ita.doc.gov/td/oetca/index/html) can also assist in providing information on how to locate ETCs and EMCs, as well as ETC cooperatives in the U.S. The office, under a joint public/private partnership, provides the contact information for EMCs/ETCs, as well as other export service companies, such as banks and freight forwarders. Locating the best export intermediary to represent you overseas is important. Do your homework before signing an agreement.
While indirect exporting offers many advantages, direct exporting also has its rewards. Although initial outlays and the associated risks are greater, the profits are likely to be greater, too. Direct exporting signals a commitment on the part of company management to fully engage in international trade. It may require that you dedicate a staff person or even several personnel to support your export efforts, and company management may have to travel abroad frequently. Selling directly to an international buyer means you will have to handle the logistics of moving the goods overseas. Direct exporting can be achieved with the help of many organizations.
Like manufacturers’ representatives in the United States, foreign-based representatives or “agents” work on a commission basis to locate buyers for your product. Your representative most likely will handle several complementary but non-competing product lines. Generally, an agent is a representative with authority to make commitments on behalf of your firm. As a result, it is important to be cautious about using trade terms interchangeably. Your agreement should specify whether the agent/representative has legal authority to obligate the firm.
Foreign distributors, in comparison, typically purchase merchandise from U.S. companies and resell it abroad at a profit. They usually inventory product, which allows the buyer to receive the goods quickly, and often provide after-sales service to the buyer.
Your agreement with any overseas business partner — whether a representative, agent or distributor — should address whether the arrangement is exclusive or non-exclusive, the territory to be covered, the length of the association and other issues. (see Chapter Five, “The Export Transaction,” for additional information on negotiating agent/distributor agreements.)
Finding overseas distributors for your products need not be more difficult than locating a representative here in the United States. Nevertheless, it likely will require an investment of time and resources to travel to your target market to meet face-to-face. One way to identify those interested in your product is to tap the DOC’s Agent/Distributor Service. This program provides a customized search to identify agents, distributors and representatives for U.S. products based on a foreign company examination of U.S. product literature.
Other sources of leads to identify foreign agents and distributors include trade associations, foreign chambers of commerce in the United States and U.S. chambers of commerce located in foreign countries. Many publications can be useful. The Manufacturers’ Agents National Association (www.manaonline.org) also has a roster of agents in Europe.
Foreign government agencies or quasi-governmental agencies are often responsible for procurement. In some instances, countries require an in-country agent to access these procurement opportunities. This often can represent significant export potential for U.S. companies, particularly in markets where U.S. technology and know-how are valued. Foreign country commercial attachés in the United States can provide you with the appropriate in-country procurement office.
If you produce consumer goods, you may be able to sell directly to a foreign retailer. You can either hire a sales representative to call on retailers in target markets or you can introduce your products to retailers through direct-mail campaigns. The direct-marketing approach will save commission fees and travel expenses, but may not be as effective. You may want to combine trips to your target markets with exploratory visits to retailers. Such face-to-face meetings will reinforce your direct marketing.
Your product line will determine whether direct sales to the end-user are a viable option. A manufacturer of medical equipment, for example, may be able to sell directly to hospitals. Other major end-users include foreign governments, schools, businesses and individual consumers.
Many small businesses report that foreign buyers often find them. An ad placed in a trade journal or a listing in the DOC’s Commercial News USA can often yield innumerable inquiries from abroad. The printed version of CNUSA is a monthly export catalog-magazine promoting U.S. products and services to more than 150 countries at a fraction of the cost of any other advertising. CNUSA is the ideal way for all U.S. companies to showcase their products and services around the world and increase export sales with a minimal investment. Through CNUSA, you have access to 150,000 buyers, agents, and distributors through embassies and consulates worldwide. CNUSA has proven to be a most effective vehicle for selling products overseas and now it is available both in print and online (www.cnewsusa.com).
Catalog and Video/Catalog exhibitions are another low-cost means of advertising your product abroad. Your products are introduced to potential partners at major international trade shows — and you never have to leave the United States. For a small fee, US&FCS officers in embassies show your catalogs or videos to interested agents, distributors and other potential buyers. Visit www.export.gov/tradeevents.html for more information.
Rather than wait for potential foreign customers to contact you, another option is to search out foreign companies looking for the particular product you produce. Trade leads from international companies seeking to buy or represent U.S. products are gathered by US&FCS officers worldwide and are distributed on-line. The leads also are published daily in The Journal of Commerce (www.joc.com) under the heading “Trade Opportunities Program” and in other commercial news outlets. Another source of trade leads is the World Trade Centers (iserve.wtca.org/).
If your product is agricultural, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) (www.fas.usda.gov) disseminates trade leads collected by their 80 overseas offices.
Trade shows are another means of locating foreign buyers. The U.S. Commercial Service’s International Buyer Program brings thousands of international buyers annually to meet with U.S. companies at major trade shows in the United States. Each year the U.S. Commercial Service selects and promotes 28 trade shows representing leading industrial sectors.
International trade shows are another excellent way to market your product abroad. Many U.S. small businesses find that attending one foreign trade show just is not enough. For more information about U.S. and international trade shows go to www.export.gov/comm_svc/.
Participating in overseas trade missions is yet another way to meet foreign buyers. Public/private trade missions are often organized cooperatively by federal and state international trade agencies and trade associations. Arrangements are handled for you in order to simplify the process of meeting prospective partners or buyers.
Matchmaker Trade Delegations are DOC-sponsored trade missions to select foreign markets. Your company is matched carefully with potential agents and distributors interested in your product. Being properly prepared for the kinds of inquiries you might encounter on overseas trade missions is important. The Small Business Administration offers pre-mission training sessions through some of its district offices, Export Assistance Centers and the SCORE program.
In developing countries, large infrastructure projects are often funded by multilateral development banks such as the World Bank (www.worldbank.org), the African, Asian, Inter-American Development Banks and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Multilateral development bank (MDB) projects often represent extensive opportunities for U.S. small businesses to compete for project work. Small businesses can be key beneficiaries for sub-contracting opportunities when larger U.S. firms win major project funding.
The project financing by the MDBs help U.S. businesses gain access to many export opportunities. Additionally, the DOC’s Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery, Infrastructure Division (www.ita.doc.gov/td/oeim/) can assist in identifying contracting and subcontracting opportunities.
Once you locate a potential foreign buyer or representative, the next step is to qualify them by reputation and financial position. First, obtain as much information as possible from the company itself. Here are a few sample questions you will want to ask:
When you have this background information and are comfortable about proceeding, then obtain a credit report on their financial position. DOC’s World Trade Data Reports (WTDRs), available from the nearest U.S. Export Assistance Center or your local District ITA Office, are compiled by US&FCS officers. A WTDR can usually provide an in-depth profile of the prospective company you are investigating.
There are also several commercial services for qualifying potential partners, such as Graydon reports. U.S. banks and their correspondent banks or branches overseas and foreign banks located in the United States can provide specific financial information.
Keep in mind that cultural sensitivities will affect your market entry in any country outside the United States, including Canada. Do not assume that because the language of business is English, the way of doing business is the same as in America. Take time to research cultural considerations along with market trends. A good overview of doing business with most nations is presented in International Business Practices or CultureGrams (www.culturegrams.com).
In this chapter we have discussed methods of market entry, how to find potential foreign buyers and representatives and how to qualify whom you will be doing business with overseas. Advance market research and preparation is the best way for a small business to define a potential export market. The next question that needs to be explored involves how to accomplish the business of exporting — that is, how the deal should be structured — the topic of Chapter Five, “The Export Transaction.”
This chapter appeared in the book Breaking Into the Trade Game, 2004.Understand dynamic global markets.
Understand what’s occurred and more accurately assess what’s ahead. Improve your corporate strategic plan, seize the right opportunities, and boost competitiveness and profits.
Informative, analytical and policy-oriented perspectives.
Comprehend the impact of past events and fully grasp and prepare for the challenges ahead.