Import Export Success Stories

Be inspired!  These entrepreneurs and small business owners started out just like you. They started with little knowledge of trade, but with the enthusiasm for learning and the boldness to try new things. They had hope and took positive actions towards moving themselves and their business forward. As a result, they expanded their businesses and helped their communities by providing jobs.  You can achieve your dreams too!

The Richest Man in China

According to Bloomberg Businessweek in their article “The Man Who Makes your iPhone” (Sept. 9, 2010), Foxconn is now the biggest exporter out of China, and its 59-year-old founder and chairman, Terry Gou, is the richest man in Taiwan, estimated by Forbes to have a personal fortune of $5.9 billion.

He started out with a $7,500 loan from his mother to produce television knobs. In only three-decades he expanded to being the world's dominant consumer electronics manufacturer. Foxconn's Longhua factory campus in Shenzhen is home to 300,000 employees, where they eat, sleep, and churn out iPhones, Sony (SNE) PlayStations, and Dell (DELL) computers. The company has over 900,000 employees in factories throughout China. Foxconn sales are expected to grow 40 percent this year, to $85 billion. Foxconn’s charity Yong-ling Charity Foundation donated 15 Billion to help establish a Cancer Hospital, a Proton Center, and Biomedical R & D.


Finding new Markets

There was a saw mill called Coastal Mill that had to be shut down due to the declining economy. It was sitting idle until 2 former employees secured a $1,000,000 export loan from the SBA to purchase the business and find export markets. Thomasville Lumber Company now employs over 70 people and exports over $10 million annually. Their lumber is being sold internationally to the Caribbean, Japan, and Western Europe, with a large majority going to Spain. Thomasville Lumber is contributing in excess of $2,000,000 in direct payroll to the community and may hire several more people this coming year.

The 2 laid-off employees went from nothing to 10M in less than 3 years because of exporting!

(Reference: Alabama International Trade Center, The University of Alabama)


Small Company Finds Safety in Export Markets

Philip Clemmons, owner of Elk River Safety Belt, attended an international trade show in Malaysia that opened up a world of opportunities for his products. He leveraged state and federal programs to tap into lucrative foreign markets when the domestic market was flat.

Elk River is a manufacturer of harnesses and fall protection used in the construction and utility industries in the United States. According to Clemmons, worker protection and safety standards in some countries are not the same as in the states, creating a good market for his products. Also, many of Elk River’s best markets are growing faster than the U.S. market, proving that exports help smooth out fluctuations in domestic economies.

They participated in export training programs and tapped into Alabama Export Council’s grant for attending overseas trade shows. As a result, in the last year, Elk River’s foreign sales climbed over 160 % and they have several representatives throughout Asia. Clemmons is committed to building his export skills. He wants to protect workers around the world, by getting in the ground floor of markets like Southeast Asia, where construction is booming.

Exporting is a great way to offset the effects of poor local economy for your company!

(Reference: Alabama International Trade Center, The University of Alabama)


Exporting Niche Products

Japanese Pets Enjoy Southern Cuisine

A small family owned company in Red Bay, Alabama called Sunshine Pet Foods, manufactures a healthy and affordable alternative to high-priced veterinary-style dog food. They compete with large suppliers such as Hill Science and Ralston Purina.

After exhibiting at a trade show in the U.S., the company received a stack of cards and inquiries from potential customers overseas. They participated in export training which helped them to the leads and learn about export procedures.

Sunshine’s first year of exports to Japan exceeded $500,000. They now have distributors in Europe and Latin America, too. Sunshine is well on their way to brightening the cuisine for pets around the world.

Sunshine’s sales are growing because they took the time to learn about Export!

(Reference: Alabama International Trade Center, The University of Alabama)


Finding a Healthy Niche

If you've been in a hospital or clinic in the last couple of years, then you've probably been exposed to The Health Television System.

Kathy Kastner started this company in Toronto, Ontario. HTS provides innovative television networks: Healthtv and The Parent Channel, available 24/7 to deliver patient education via waiting rooms and bedside TVs.

Kathy has expanded from providing network services to three teaching hospitals a decade ago to over 80 today. Kathy's Exporting Tip: "Approach trade publications in your industry for contacts to source potential partners or reps." It all started with a Trade Mission in 1997 that opened up her export markets. The export skills and expertise you learn in one market, can help you get into other markets.

60% of her business is export sales!

(Source: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada)


Replacing Imports

Old Iron Doors Swing Jobs Back to the Community

Entrepreneur Eduardo Cuneo, opened a small importing and retail business called Old Iron Doors several years ago in Birmingham, AL. He sent his designs and orders to a supplier in Mexico, where iron was then fashioned into finished products, and shipped back to the U.S. for distribution. Sales grew annually and Eduardo established a network of fourteen distributors around the country. The firm had become one of the top names in the custom wrought iron industry in the United States. It was one of the biggest U.S. manufacturers and distributors with show rooms across the country.

As his distribution business grew, he received a government loan to move the production of his doors from Mexico to his own community, saving on freight costs, increasing quality, and creating jobs.

It’s because of Eduardo’s knowledge of trade that he was able to make the right moves at the right time to make more money.


Exporting Services

Sports Entertainment Proves a Winner

Debra Belinsky and Cheryl Benson-Guanci are business owners of the The DCB Group in Manitoba. They provide innovative promotional entertainment packages for use during commercial time-outs, intermissions and play stoppages in professional sporting events.

Their first contract was with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and, since then, have established offices in Manitoba, California, Florida and Ontario. Clients have included sports organizations and teams from all the professional leagues in North America.

The owners say the biggest Benefit is that "Exporting opens the doors to new contacts, networking and opportunities that are vast.”

70% of their business is exporting!

(Source: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada)


Using the Internet to Go Global

Freshii is a hip, welcoming, fun, destination restaurant that projects a hip experience that’s as well known as their food. They stared with one restaurant in Toronto, now they have ex-panded internationally with 16 restaurants, 4 of which are in Chicago.

The attribute their fast growth to using their website, combined with social media sites such as Youtube and Facebook. They offer online and text ordering. The website also features a unique nutritional calculator application that provides nutritional information to online users as they customize their meal. The website address is also printed on store receipts as an additional marketing tool.

Freshii’s online presence has significantly impacted the company in an extremely positive manner. The website has specifically allowed the company to utilize social media marketing to target specific demographics, made the company appear larger during its early stages, and also provided an interactive platform for customers within a virtual environment. Its online presence has contributed to the generation of potential franchising opportunities in Texas, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

International Trade + Online Marketing = Success!

(Source: Ministry of Economic Development and Trade)

Connect with other business people who can help you get started.

Contact other non-competing companies from your region that have attempted to "Go Global".  Perhaps you sell custom designed windows and you've heard that a door manufacturer in your town has secured a contract with an Asian buyer.  Well, go ahead - give them a call.  They'll probably be glad to share their success stories with you, and maybe even partner with you on some projects.

Find other success stories in your community:

• Look in the news to identify non-competing companies who have gone overseas and how they may be able to share their experiences with you.
• The purpose is for local and regional networking
• Discuss top local exporting and import companies
• Discuss regional support and resources

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References for success stories:

“The Man Who Makes your iPhone” Bloomberg Businessweek.  Cover Story By Frederik Balfour and Tim Culpan (Sept. 9, 2010)
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_38/b4195058423479.htm

Alabama International Trade Center/University of Alabama
http://www.aitc.ua.edu/success-stories

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
International Trade Success Stories
http://www.international.gc.ca/businesswomen-femmesdaffaires/success-succes/index.aspx?lang=eng#technology-technologie