First things first, can you introduce yourself a little bit?
Christan: My name is Christan Shockley and I am the Sales Manager for Flo-Tite. I have been with the company now for three years.
Jose: My name is Jose Villa and I am the VP of national sales. I have been with Flo-Tite for 16 years now.
I would love to hear about some noteworthy highlights from your partnership experience and what led you to select Europe as your target market for business growth. Did you have prior experience in this region or was it a new and exciting discovery when you started working with EuroDev?
Christan: In the past, we occasionally received quote requests for the European market, but we never had the opportunity to fully focus on winning them. Recognizing the potential for growth, we decided to take our efforts to the next level. During the transformative phase, we had insightful discussions with Tim and Jose from EuroDev. They were very upfront with us about market growth prospects and what our business partnership could entail. Fast forward to today, and we are now in the 15th month of our partnership with EuroDev.
From the beginning, the timeline set for launching Flo-Tite Europe has proven accurate. Throughout this journey, we have actively participated in 10 international trade shows, significantly increased the number of quotes, and experienced efficient follow-ups, all thanks to EuroDev’s valuable support. We are scheduled to attend a major European tradeshow in Belgium, which is an exciting milestone.
What are some of the main challenges or barriers that you encountered when entering the European market?
Christan: Europe’s manufacturing sector is highly concentrated, leading to a preference for sourcing within the region rather than outsourcing. This can pose challenges for companies that do not have a local representative who can effectively communicate in the language and serve as a close contact.
EuroDev has been instrumental in bridging this gap by providing our company with a dedicated representative who follows up with European clients and makes them feel well-connected rather than just dealing with a distant American presence. This more personalized approach has been crucial in building strong relationships and expanding our business presence in Europe.
What would you consider to be the most significant accomplishments during your collaboration with EuroDev over the years? Additionally, could you share any specific goals or opportunities you have set for this project?
Christan: Our first significant achievement was securing a $60,000 order from Damon, a prestigious premier boat manufacturer renowned for its outstanding yachts. This momentous success would not have been possible without our partnership with EuroDev, as they played a crucial role in facilitating this major deal. This was a monumental breakthrough for Flo-Tite.
What would you want to share regarding your experience in growing your business in Europe with EuroDev?
Jose: The key to succes definitely lies in establishing trust and fostering exellent communication. EuroDev excels in this area, maintaining open lines of communication and demonstrating unwavering support.
What possible improvement could you think about that EuroDev can enhance in its partnership service?
Christan: Overall, I only have positive feedback regarding EuroDev and have referred them multiple times, even providing personal testimonies to potential clients.
EuroDev has been instrumental in bridging this gap by providing our company with a dedicated representative who follows up with European clients and makes them feel well-connected rather than just dealing with a distant American presence.
