Buy or sell in Italy. Business to business international trade help

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ItalTrade

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Buy or sell in Italy
Business to business international trade help

We provide the following services:

- Buying in Italy - Sourcing products- Finding suppliers
- Selling in Italy - Finding customers or distributors
- Joint ventures - Finding the right partner

Buy in Italy
Source Italian products or services - Find suppliers

If you have trouble finding a source or you would like to have someone on the spot to get things done, we can help.

We are willing to work on commissions only so there is no up front payment. We ask for commissions for a number of years. We prefer long term business but will consider a one-time assignment too.
Please Email (or fax) your requirements now and we will tell you what we can do.

Sell in Italy
Find customers or distributors

If you want to sell products or services in Italy we will be glad to look for customers or distributors for you.

We are willing to work on commissions only so there is no up front payment. We ask for commissions for a number of years. We prefer long term business but will consider a one-time assignment too.

Joint ventures
Finding the right partner

Local knowledge is essential to find the best partner and avoid mistakes.

Read Me 1st

We are not a government organization but a business.

We provide business-to-business trade help, on a commission basis or advance payment, to companies wishing to sell goods or services in Italy or locate local suppliers.

We do not do market research nor strategic planning nor we provide lists of contacts or addresses. We do the above as part of a selling or buying agreement. We do not buy any good.

We receive more than our fair share of free information requests: "Send a list of all Italian widget wholesalers" or " I am working on a project for my International Marketing course in school, can you send me information about the automotive market ?" or "We are an import export company and request information on manufacturing companies in Italy with whom we would like to establish business relations with in the fields of..."

We cannot answer these requests.
We do not provide free information.

We provide business-to-business trade help, on a commission basis or advance payment, to companies wishing to sell goods or services in Italy or locate local suppliers.

If all you want is information, we have a Links section for you where you may (or may not) find what you are looking for.

For your convenience you can see ALL IN 1 PAGE for easy printing. We can also email it on request. Send a message with "All in 1 page" as a subject to (back to content table)

Joint ventures

Making a joint venture in Italy, as in any other country, can be tricky if you do not have local knowledge.

Local knowledge means many things: from knowing the local market situation, trends in the industry, managers history, company ownership, local regulations, local tax, and many others things; to knowing the latest local news and , why not, gossips that may have an impact on your business.

We offer you local knowledge and business experience. We are willing to work on a commission basis and you are invited to make a preliminary approach, without any obligation.

To contact us for a joint venture inquiry Email us at:

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Background

We have over two decade of experience including sales and marketing positions with US multinational companies, mail order, and advertising.

We have a good background in hi-tech. Since 1992 we have had the opportunity to help companies in a wide range of fields. Just to mention a few:

instrumentation, tunneling, PCs and workstations hardware and software, machine tools, offset printing, integrated circuits, cryptography, bar code equipment, industrial automation, recycling, medical equipment, chemical products, etc.

snacks, homes, fine arts, sporting goods, cosmetics, garments, pest control, rugs, automotive equipment, car accessories, shoes, advertising, ceramic tiles, books, beverages, etc.

Associates are seasoned veterans with at least 15 years of experience in their field. We are able to cover most fields and bring to you decades of marketing and selling know how. (back to content table)

What we do

We are lean and mean. We try to do whatever it takes to make you happy. We have however some general preferred activities:

Help foreign companies sell in Italy. Finding distributors or large end users

Unless it is a product whose main customers are a few large end users (in this case we may handle the sales ourselves) we will usually look for one or more distributors for you.

Help foreign companies buy in Italy. Sourcing Italian products.

We act as your man on the spot. We cover the whole spectrum from locating sources you are not aware, qualifying sources, interfacing them and keeping in touch with them including personal visits.(back to content table)

What we (usually) don't

We are not a government organization but a business.

We receive more than our fair share of requests for free information. "send a list of all Italian widget wholesalers" or " I am working on a project for my International Marketing course in school".
Unfortunately we have not the time to answer any of them.

We do not buy any good. We do not do market research nor strategic planning nor we provide lists of contacts or addresses as a self standing activities. We do the above tasks in the background in the framework of a selling or buying agreement.(back to content table)

How it is done

Many of the following steps apply to both buying and selling. We usually start researching in order to get a list of suitable contacts. This is done using several sources ranging from on line directories, paper directories, trade show catalogues (both paper or machine readable), organization catalogues, trade magazines, library research, interviews, etc.

At the end of the research we end (depending on the product) with a list that may have from a few dozens names to several hundred or thousands. We select an appropriate subset and get in touch with them by fax either presenting your product (if selling) or your needs (if buying). We may reveal or not the name of you company, as appropriate.

The fax is followed shortly by a phone call whose goals is to ascertain the interest and to make a preliminary screening. This preliminary screening usually drops over 90% of the contacts. Those worth pursuing, usually about 2-3% are visited in person. This process further thins the total and we roughly remain with one good prospect for every 100 contacts.

These are the ones you will get in touch with.

We either go out of your way (if you prefer) or more probably help you with the negotiation of the contract. We also assist you if you end coming over here to sign the contract. Most contracts that involve more than a few $ may easily involve this step.

If you are like our best customers, you will heavily lean on our knowledge of the local climate, market, business practice, local law, mentality, dangers and opportunities. Being attentive to this may make or scuttle a deal.

Since we work on commissions we will keep eyeing the relationship to see if anything can be improved over time. Working on commissions means that we will bother with the dozens of unforeseen details that real life brings with it (when was the last time that everything run smoothly?). We all know that even the best running machinery may be stopped by a few sand grains. (back to content table)

How much it costs

As a rule we work on commissions only (in same cases it may be appropriate an advanced fee, but we are willing to discuss any kind of agreement you fancy). This means that you risk nothing. Not only you owe us nothing if we are not able to accomplish our mission (finding buyers or sellers) but even if we accomplish it, but the companies introduced to you are not of your liking, you owe us nothing.

Obviously, the other face of the coin is that we need to be choosy about the companies we work for. We need good marketing information, good visibility about product sales capability, a long term non circumvention agreement, and a "leave us alone" period (whose length we must agree) during which any contacts from Italy are considered by definition, generated by us. The rationale of this is that we usually do not hide your company name and widely circulate your name and brochures. It is not unusual that you may get a direct call from someone we have contacted OR someone we have NOT contacted directly but got nonetheless a copy of our fax. This is a common occurrence.

If you have special or different requirements, let's us know. We will try to accommodate your needs. For example, if you need help for a one-time transaction, we will consider it

We also reserve the right to drop the search any time for any reason (unless you have paid a fee in advance). (back to content table)

How long it takes

4 months on average. This means that sometimes you may have a contract in you desk after two months; some others after 6.

This is an average for an extensive research of distributors or suppliers. Longer searches do not last longer than 6 months while at times we may be able to find a supplier or customer in two or three week. Much depends on your specific case.(back to content table)

HOW TO START

First send us by Email or fax a description of the product or service you want to buy or sell together with any other information you think appropriate. We will promptly answer if we think we can help you.

After that we will need e detailed documentation on the product or service together with any marketing data you may have (information on how is doing in any other country, for example). We will also need to have your price list and reach an understanding as about the length of the agreement and what are our commissions. Then we need a written agreement (see Agreement).

We are willing to discuss commissions and how long we will get them on a case by case basis.

Please notice that unless you pay us an advanced fee we need a thorough documentation on what you want to buy or sell. This will allow us to figure if we are able to tackle the job appropriately and take a decision.(back to content table)

Agreement

We are not choosy about the written agreement. You may write your own. What we want is a non circumvention agreement and a contract that will give us commissions for 5 years typically. This are obviously rough guidelines and we have had plenty of exceptions. Please fell free to discuss with as any alternative proposal you may have in mind.

If you want to see an example of agreement please email to with "Send agreement draft" in the subject. You will get a draft promptly.

We cannot give any guideline on a %. We will gladly start discussing based on your initial proposal. Every situation and market is different, different markets may bear different markup, volume and value may vary wildly, etc. Let's discuss about it.

Please notice that we work for one side of the transaction only. We either get commissions from the buyer or we get them from the seller. We cannot serve two masters at the same time and do a good job. We will, for instance, in the case where we are working for the buyer, inform the buyer of any offer of commissions to us from sellers.(back to content table)

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not like any of those introduced to me ?
No problem. You owe us nothing.

May I incur in any hidden expense ?
Absolutely not. On rare occasions we may ask you (in advance) to foot a bill for a specific and exceptional action. You may accept or decline the suggestion at your discretion.

We have a 5 year contract. What if the distributor stop selling after one year?
We stop getting any money! Since we work on commissions only we are interested in supervising your distributor. If he is not doing a good job we will take adequate measures, including looking for a new one.

Your commissions eat on my profits ?
Not necessarily. We may work starting from a price list that gives you a given profit. Our commissions are added on top of that. In other words, the commissions are paid by the distributor, or if you prefer, the local price list includes our commissions.

When do I pay you ?
When you are paid (immediately after). If you don't get any money, neither do we.

I am interested. But you do not have specific experience in my business.
If you are thinking about us selling directly to end users it may (or may not) be a reasonable worry.

On the other hand if what is needed is the search of one or more distributors it is the distributors that should know the market, not us! Our job is to find the right distributor not to sell to customers.

We have done this successfully dozen of times in fields we knew nothing beforehand.

Bear in mind that we work on commissions. If we sense that we will probably not be able to tackle your products we will decline your offer. If instead of a seller you are a buyer, this is even less of a worry. You are sure able to size whoever we will introduce to you.

Why should I pay you when I can do your job on my own ?
You are welcome! If you think so, we are not keen to work with you (yet). We prefer companies that have already tried ,and failed, or have enough experience and savvy to realize that there is no substitute for local knowledge and presence. File our address and come back in a couple of years.

It sounds too good to be true. Where is the catch ?
You need to have the right mix of products, market, prices, profit, documentation, knowledge, responsiveness and determination. We cannot afford to tackle products unlikely to succeed. Determination is probably the most important issue. Many a drawback can be compensated by determination, but even the best product may fail without. We are ourselves determined, but it takes two to tango.

What are your obligations ?
We reserve the right to drop any search any time for any reason, without any further obligation.

Is there the possibility that you engage us in any liability ?
Absolutely not. Unless you give us written instructions to the contrary, we act as your consultant only. We provide you with information and suggestions. What you do or don't, is up to you.

We like to stress that the final agreement is between you and the contact(s) we provide. You are the sole judge and responsible of any engagement you enter.

Who is your typical customer ?

- Sellers: manufactures or direct agents or distributors with exclusive right to market in Italy.

- Buyers: Anything goes. Bear in mind however, that unless you generate a yearly minimum in commissions, we may find it unprofitable.

I tried to buy directly from the manufacturer but they have exclusive distributors already. Can you help ?

Sometimes. If you have already met problems or if you expect to run into them, please state it in your initial query. This will save time to us both. We MAY device a solution, but we need first to know the problem. We also expect to know the real situation. For example we have been asked to source 10,000 jeans a month from a known manufacturer. When asked what was the destination we were told an odd country.

Now, we have nothing against any country, except that it may be an unlikely final destination for brand name (expensive) products. The reason we asked is that we do only legal jobs. If the manufacturer have a tight control of the market and do not want to sell any more in a given country, we will comply. Some times there are available stocks but only for certain countries. Wholesalers also may have legal obligations and cannot export to certain countries unless authorized by the manufacturer. (back to content table)

Contact

ItalTrade

Via Montebernina 28

20021 Baranzate Milano

Italy

Fax: +1-305-723 8258 (US)

Email:

Contact: Claudio Baldini

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Links

italtrade links to international trade web sites

A) Information and help on Italian trade and Italy in general:

Portals and Search Engines to locate Italian sites and information:
(All the sites in this section are Italians. They may have information in Italian only)

Portals (with search)

Excite Italia
IOL.it
LycosItalia
MSN Italia
Tin.it

Search Engines

Arianna
Katalogo
SuperEva
Il Trovatore

B) International Trade

ABC Français pour le commerce et l'industrie overview of the best of French exporters
AfaceriOnline B2B marketplace with free Trade Leads,
Romanian, European and International companies.
AgriMarket The most visited C-European agricultural site
AgroTrade.net is a service provided by The Agricultural and Fishery Marketing Corporation in Korea for the international B2B Market for trade in Agricultural products.
Alpespro Buy or sell in the French alps
Aracno.net Contact with Ecuador
AsianNet Asian business site
AsianVendors.com Source products & vendors from Asia. A comprehensive B2B marketplace, vendors from key Asian countries, product catalogs and other trade related business content.
B2BGiant.com Your Global B2B marketplace of export and import, offering company directory, product catalogs and trade leads to importer, exporter, supplier, wholesaler, manufacturer.
Baltic Business Server Business contacts in the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) Economic reviews, list of companies, message board
BigManufacturer.com Find information and resources for manufacturer.
Boutique-surplus.com Professional B2B stocklots website from France
Business Meeting Point International trade and business people/companies in and out side of Japan
BusyTrade.com A Top 3 B2B trade portal, covering China Products, China suppliers, company directory, trade directory, importers and exporters' directory, China manufacturers.
BuyKorea International B2B Marketplace Promotes international trade, Korean products import export official marketplace in trade leads.
ce88 E-commerce co. International trade company in China.
CHEM Only handling chemicals and advanced materials
ChinaProducts.com China premier export business to business portal. Large database of made-in-China.
ClickManufacturers.com Online manufacturer directory with categorized, searchable listings of online manufacturer sites.
CYTRA International CYber TRAde Information Service Company
eChemNet Large and reliable chemical sourcing portal for overseas buyers.
Egypt The Egyptian Trading Directory
European Trade Board A full service for traders
Eximturk Web site for world companies willing to do business in Turkish market
Expo22.com Economic Portal site
Export Edge Letters of Credit (LCs) training and web-based reference and support site
Export-Japan.com Provides comprehensive Japanese business information searchable in English. Information of trade fairs, market report, purchasing information of Japanese companies.
First business world Trade leads, freight exchange market, business opportunities, your showroom, business search engine, website promotion and submit.
Global B2B Marketplace AllActionTrade is a b2b marketplace where the world meet for business. Our ultimate goal is to offer complete services to the business community of the world.
Global Project Marketing Network Information on financing and re-financing requirements
GuoXin China Trade Center is a B2B marketplace with free products catalog, providing trade leads among China manufacturers, China suppliers, and global buyers.
Industrialproductsfinder.com Indian Engineering source for electrical, electronics, machine tools, material handling, plastics, packaging, pneumatics, hydraulics, pumps, valves, process equipment, instrumentation.
IranCommerce Site dedicated to commerce with Iran
Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute Your gateway to business and economy in Israel. Succeed in commercial ventures with Israeli companies and in the Israeli marketplace.
Infokorea Korea Information, Free Bulletin Board, Used Machinery Sell/Buy, Importer /Exporter /Distributor /Manufacturer Directory
International Denim and Textile Agency International Denim and Textile Agency in Germany, specialized in denim, fabrics and fabric stock lots.
Iran Yellow Pages The only official Iran Trade Yellow Pages
Korean Marketplace Korean Marketplace is the Trading portal for small business companies.
KoreaExpo21C.com - World E-Commerce Network A marketplace for buying and selling various products and trade related services around the world.
Localglobal Business with Germany.
LookDirectory.com Resources and information websites.
Openrussia Russian business directory Openrussia. Russian trade leads site. Partners search in Russia. You can find here all about Russian customs rules
Romanian Business Directory Full company profiles, opportunities, trade resources, travel with online reservations, information and links, trade fairs and exhibitions.
Russia:Export-Import Russia foreign trade information
Sea-Ex Australia Fishing and Seafood
SSR Holland vof. International trade, advice & service
Taiwan Commerce Trading information and service center in Taiwan
Taiwan Online Publisher of Taiwan Yellow Pages
Tender On Line Post and receive by E-mail targeted invitations for tenders. No membership required.
The Business Link The on-line business to business introduction service for National and International business contacts.
TheTradePost.com is your global B2B market place. Find your business partners at TheTradePost.com
Trade A publication of Tradewinds Publishing Co
Trade Lead Business designed to help companies market products and services internationally, find trade information. B2B exporter importer directory of tradeleads to import and export company directory to offer buyers sellers suppliers
Trade Offer Search Engine Lots of Offer to Sell or Buy from 500 Trade Lead Sites, trade newsletters, bb
Trade-India On line database, yellow pages, trade newsletters, bb
TradeXpro TradeXpro is a new B2B marketplace designed to help companies find business partners from all over the world.
TTnet Taiwan/China Manufacturers and Suppliers Directory Professional trade web site maintained by the trade Advertisement & Media information provider "Taiwan Trade Pages Group".
Venezuela Industry Directory A Venezuela Industrial / Commerce / Exports site offering Global Trade, Biz Opportunities, Companies and Products Directory.
Vietoffer Newly launched trade portal site in Vietnam.
WebBusiness Where the offer becomes a deal!
Widgetjunction B2B website that matches international buyers and sellers for custom manufactured parts
WMW World Market Watch. Extensive information.
Wood Business Portal Wood Business Portal - B2B wood market . International wood business opportunities. Manufacturers and traders od raw material and wood products.
Wood-me Wood Trade Directory Offers a source of contact information and promotion/trade matching services for wood processors, exporters and importers.
WorldTradeAA.com A business community where worldwide
companies meet and trade. Provides global database of products and suppliers for buyers and free websites & catalog for sellers.
World Trade Area The platform for making your company easy to find on the internet