Business Ideas & Updates

Metal Core Distribution is an exporter of Non-motorised scooters and components under the brand name “Envy”.

Barry Cuneo told Austrade, “November 2012 sees us introducing a new high end brand, FASEN Scooters, distributing through a separate and motivated distributor in the USA and the existing Distributor in Europe, who has ‘sub distributors”, representing about 15 countries, including Finland, Estonia, Russia and Czech Republic, as well as UK and mainland Europe.” He added that, “The great burgeoning markets are Canada, South America and Asia, with South Africa yet to be touched.”

The company’s initial 5 year plan identified Australia only in year one, New Zealand in year two, the UK in year three, Europe in year four and the US in year five. However, in the first year, they were already distributing in five countries in Europe and the UK, and they had started distribution in the US. Branding was split into two in June 2011, with BLUNT Scooters in Europe and the UK, and ENVY Scooters in the US, Australia and Asia.

Export sales reported in calendar year 2011 amounted to $579,235; and in 2012, $2,779,449. Overall gross reported sales in 2012 amounted to $5,090,760.

“This business is not simply a matter of selling scooters, bought through the myriads of resellers out of China. In October 2012, our riders filled 10 of the 45 final positions in the ISA Scooter World Championships, held in the UK. BLUNT, ENVY and FASEN riders attained 3 of the top ten spots. Research and Development of latest technology is where we concentrate our efforts. Our design team are BMX and scooter champions and the whole design and model range is rider developed, tested and endorsed, through an active team of 22 riders worldwide. Brand recognition, through quality, performance, style and association with top riders through “signature” products is a focus only attainable through credibility. (similar to surfing, BMX, etc),” Mr Cuneo said

Metal Core Distribution first heard about the EMDG from a business mentor, who was astonished that they had leapt headlong into this without any outside support. He suggested that they talk with Austrade about the EMDG scheme. Austrade was immediately helpful, because Metal Core Distribution had already made significant steps towards growth in their business plan.

Mr Cuneo said, “To then get the professional and financial support in marketing from the Australian Government, through the professional and helpful staff at Austrade, gave us the extra impetus to accelerate our marketing, search out new and profitable markets way before we previously felt able to. Consequently, our growth and profitability has multiplied, our vision expanded, and ultimately the export income to Australia increased.”

Zhik Pty Ltd is a designer and manufacturer of sailing wet gear, which today is worn by Olympic and professional athletes around the world. In fact, half of the entire international fleet at the 2012 London Olympics wore Zhik, and Zhik sailors won half the medals. Its sailing wet gear is exported to the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Sweden and Denmark.

As a result of its export success, Zhik won the Premier’s NSW Export Award 2010 and the the NSW Business Chamber Excellence in Export Award, and was a Finalist in the 48th Australian Export Awards.

Zhik began as an international business from the outset, and has had steady growth since, gradually increasing market share while the difficulties globally are having a negative impact on their competition.

Zhik uses very targeted marketing strategies, sponsoring international regattas and a fleet of world champion athletes. This approach, combined with product differentiation through patented functionality, provides high brand authenticity in the market that is embraced by customers as they become increasingly savvy in their purchasing decisions in modern times.

http://www.austrade.gov.au/Export/Export-Grants/What-is-EMDG/Case-studies/EMDG-Case-Studies

Customers benefit from advanced communications systems delivered by one organisation with one contact point and one bill. Responsibility for delivery via service legal agreements rests solely with Comscentre. Small to medium sized businesses enjoy a level of sophistication and service that was previously only available to large enterprises, delivering significant cost savings by outsourcing business communications for a fixed monthly fee.

Comscentre owns its own MPLS Network, interconnecting with all major carriers and delivers the best bandwidth regardless of location in metropolitan, regional or remote areas. Comscentre can utilise a customer's existing communications hardware or install a new state-of-the-art Cisco system if required.

It is a Cisco Master Managed Services supplier and trial NBN provider, and is dedicated to providing customers with a return on investment by reducing cost, increasing profitability and protecting customers business.

Foundation customer, Flight Centre, ensured Comscentre's debut into the telecommunications industry. Now their client base includes Century 21 Real Estate and motor vehicle giants Peugeot, Toyota, Porsche and Holden, as well as Baker IDI, Shop-a-Docket, Port Headland Town Council, Harbour IT, The Queensland Reds and the Hawthorn Hawkes, to name just a few.

Internationally Comscentre has been successful in securing a contract with Malaysian based airline Air Asia. Earnings from this customer are now well into six figures and export accounts for 6% of sales. The new operation in Manila is a key part of Comscentre's growth strategy in the Asian region.

The EMDG grant assisted the company in reimbursing marketing trips and assisting with the cost of maintaining an external consultant. The consultant has been employed to research new opportunities in markets such as India, the Philippines, Indonesia, France and the UK.

“The EMDG was key to the establishment of our Asian operation and from there the ability to successfully pitch for Air Asia. The grant allowed us to secure a consultant to negotiate the Philippines’ commercial and legal environment to establish the office and provide leads for business in the region. Numerous trips to Manila were required to set up that operation and the EMDG was of invaluable assistance and has helped create Australian jobs,” says Ben Shipley of Comscentre.

2010 has proven a stellar year for Comscentre, in terms of continued growth and relocation of its head office to Milton in Brisbane. The company has established this facility as a state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre for the control and management of its networks both domestically and internationally across its growing list of global customers.

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industry sectors and products, including inbound tourism and the export of intellectual property and know-how outside Australia.

The EMDG scheme:

• encourages small and medium sized Australian businesses to develop export markets
• reimburses up to 50% of eligible export promotion expenses above $10,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $20,000
• provides up to seven grants to each eligible applicant.