Global Trade Base Trends
September 11, 2009 - Once a client, always a client
“It is with dedication and loyalty to our clients that we have created our new policy. ‘Once a client, always a client.’ At Global Trade Base, our business model has been the single or multiple trade mission representation of gourmet food & specialty products to our buyers in Europe, South America, Asia, Middle East and Northern Africa. We have always selected the finest available products that meet a criteria matrix including quality, production capacity, market appropriateness, price, and marketing support. We also scrutinize the producing company’s experience, professionalism, vision, and ability to perform when filling orders prior to ever initiating an offer of representation.A percentage of these clients though did generate interest on trade mission and the lengthy international sales cycle had been implemented. Some products were turned down for a variety of reasons at that specific time. We have always taken clients on additional trade missions to other regions when no interest was generated. We have forged a new policy at Global Trade Base. This new policy has required upgrades in infrastructure and technology. It also included a revamped internet site at www.GlobalTradeBase.com.
A Supplier Portal is now available where every client of GTB can have their products input with pictures and all relevant information making their company visible to every buyer that we have as customers, domestic buyers, as well as every validated potential buyer that we meet with. This technology is also specifically developed to support the nondisclosure requirements that we must adhere to preventing the opportunity for price fixing and other potential conflicts of interest. Every buyer will have the ability to search out each product available from our 200+ clients. The buyers will always be able to find, evaluate and build international orders even though that client has have retained current highlighted trade mission representation under one of our marketing programs.
The Buyer portal is soon to be rolled out after the information from all of our suppliers and each of their products has been updated. The buyers will be able to see the brands, all pertinent information related to placing an order as well as build the actual order they want to consummate. This ease of use function for our buyers has been highly acclaimed as one of the most innovative and useful technology tools available. GTB will continue to facilitate the process of label change requirements, destination import requirement adherence, acting as paymaster to the producer, shipping companies, banking entities, government agencies and insurances. We continually do the due diligence to ensure each foreign buyer is acceptable according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Administrative Regulations (EAR), USDA and FDA.
Further, our newly organized Domestic Product Distribution division has been going through every client file and organizing them for marketing within North America. Not every client utilizing international representation requires domestic distribution. For those that do, we are including this service availability in a very specific, individualized, and dedicated marketing campaign where each client actively promoted at a time with a dedicated GTB employee until we take them to their production capacity.
The success rate of this new GTB division is phenomenal. Since mid-August, one salsa company has had over 60 domestic stores interested and the orders have already begun. A press release will be out soon documenting this success story. Another salsa company has been promoted for one week and has 10 domestic retailers evaluating this product to bring on. During this time, another producer of jelly items, condiments and pickled vegetables has been demanded by 20 stores and will be available across the southeast U.S. by the end of September.
As you can see, we are renewing our efforts to move product for every client that has come on for international representation. It is our objective to provide this ongoing support for every client. We view the representation of client products as a privilege and earn the one-time required retainer fee and will always go above and beyond in our efforts. We continue to stand by our non-disclosure agreements, contracts, agreements, and have continued to increase exports exponentially even during challenging economic conditions. Our measurable success rate cannot be denied and has resulted in doing our part to lower the U.S. trade deficit, promote domestic economic growth and sustain profitability within our client companies. And, we are just getting started with a lot of hard work ahead of us. I personally welcome the challenge.”
E.J. Spidell, President, Global Trade Base