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World Trade Centre Belfast Export Excellence Series. Building an International Presence. Thursday 21 st February NI Science Park, Belfast. Valerie Brown. World Trade Centre Officer Belfast City Council. Steve Orr. Director of Enterprise Development Northern Ireland Science Park.
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World Trade Centre Belfast Export Excellence Series Building an International Presence Thursday 21st February NI Science Park, Belfast
Valerie Brown World Trade Centre Officer Belfast City Council
Steve Orr Director of Enterprise Development Northern Ireland Science Park
Who’s Who? Participants introduction
Patrick McGrath Managing Director, Ripfactory
Ripfactory Patrick McGrath Managing Director
Core Objective making digital music simple by deploying knowledge, skill and automation
Ripfactory Ltd • Software development company – Digital Music • Founded 2005 • Privately held and funded • HQ Belfast, NI plus US office • Core staff of developers, project management and support staff • 2007 Entrepreneur of the year • 32 worldwide markets
Turnkey robotics Kiosk solutions Bespoke solutions Metadata Device integration Custom software development Service providers CI Content Aggregators Labels Manufacturers Areas of Operation
Amazon Apple Itunes HMV Nokia Sony Ingram Linn Maclaren Rhapsody ReadyToPlay Rimage Circuit City TWE Sanity BMG Universal Imerge Reference Customers
Growth • 14 staff - Belfast • US Office • Linear 100% turnover growth • Profitable from year 1 • Zero NI Business • 92% export focus • 32 countries
Market Research Distributors Travel Localisation Cultural Differences Staff Coverage Support/Warranty Product Outlook Replication Partnerships Invest NI Internet Press Expos The Phone Ireland Methods to Export success
Looking forward • Replicate to another 30 countries • Galvanise and expand distribution network • Increase manufacturer partners • Invest in local sales offices • Maintain Growth
Richard Gibson Founder, Smyth & Gibson
Dermot Cleere Director, CJ Higgins
Building on an International Presence Presented by Dermot Cleere, Director Gavin M Higgins, CEO
Today’s Agenda Background to HII Services How HII developed an international presence Resource implications in establishing a JV How the JV has benefited HII Learning points
Background • HII in the UK & Irish market for 40 years; 50 employees; • Based in ‘Titanic Quarter’; • Commercial Insurance Brokers & Financial Advisors; • Authorised & regulated by the in the UK.
HII Development UK & Ireland • HII is established in the UK & Irish Market; • Has acquired rival; • Targeting potentials for acquisition in 08/09 • Asia • Asian companies acquiring UK based companies • Gaining expertise/experience /credibility • HII opportunity!
International Aims • HII objective to increase brand awareness; • Assist in securing additional businesses; • Increase growth of overall HII business; • Source entry into market; • Contacts in the far east indicated various emerging Asia markets; • Conducted research in to insurance market in BKK / Thailand: - draft business plan; - how to enter market place; - potential difficulties; - identified a partner as best solution.
Establishing a joint venture partner • Seek a partner aligned to HII business aims; • Establish ‘trust’ (demonstrate, commitment, long term); • Business plan 3, 5, 10 years; • Legal / foreign company investments rules; • Resource costs:- - set up / office / staff; - HII relocation of key personnel (work permits etc) - Recruitment of qualified locals; - Capital requirements; - Licence by DOI under the ministry of Commerce to act as a broker for general / life business in Thailand; - 6 months minimum to set up.
HII • Entered JV in 2002 • Provided capital: - Set up costs; - Licensing; - Key personal / relocation. • Experience/ expertise/credibility; • Existing relationships with Global Insurance Company; • Exclusive insurance market access; • Assistance with the establishment of licensed insurance; product; (payable in local currency) only 2 available in market; • Attract new clients / service major clients; • Provide expertise in risk management.
LawtonAsia • Manage / direct all day to day business operations; • Design & run major development / marketing programs in Asia. In 2002 - 3 staff; - premium income £100, 000 In 2008 – 30 staff - E.g.s of existing clients include Triumph Motorcycles; BPB Asia; Thai Gypsum, PWC, Grant Thornton; Thai Nox. - Premium income £4 million
Benefits to HII • Growth / enhancement of brand in Asia; • Delivered return on investment (starting 2008); • Enhanced HII reputation with existing/ potential clients & insurance markets; • Combined purchasing power; • Provided exchange opportunities for staff; • Provided learning of new skills & areas of expertise in international markets; • Plan to set up offices in Vietnam this year.
Learning points from HII Experience • Significant effort; • Time to build confidence; • Commitment.
Julie Taylor International Business Manager, T.G. Eakin Ltd
Julie Taylor Head of International Business ‘Building an International Presence’
An introduction to TG Eakin Limited
History of T.G. Eakin Ltd. • Manufacturer of wound care & ostomy products • Founded in 1974 by Tom Eakin • Today a successful, innovative company selling to over 25 countries • Acquired Pelican Healthcare in 2007.
R&D • Team of 3 full time staff • Devoted to R&D of quality ostomy and wound care products • Improvements to existing ranges.
Quality • Hygiene standards • ISO 13485:2003 accredited • Traceability • Each product is individually checked.
TG Eakin Manufacture products for… Stoma Care Stoma And wound care
An Example 3 days
Business Development One Product One Market Export Global Market New products – Organic Growth New products – Acquisition
Business Development ‘Building an international presence’
Export Targets – Which countries first? • English speaking • Northern European
Exporting: HOW? • Target market. • Who are your customers? • Networking – word of mouth • Research. KNOW YOUR MARKET.
Market Entrance Strategies. • Several strategies available when entering a market with a product. • Cost • Differentiation • Focus