B2B Offline Marketing - Specific

Hi there,

I am going to be working with a medium sized company, who produce door looks, padlocks, hinges, eye holes handles, and other lots of door furniture. total of 2,000 different products.

The target for these products is large developers/home-builders/large DIY/ironmonger, stores, etc.

The product is already being sold in a number of countries successfully and is a also a reputable brand.

We would like to begin selling in the UK, and do not have any experience dealing with English, does anyone have any experience, or ideas for selling/promoting the product here, as well as building up a network?

Key Points about the products, are:

2000 different variety's
extended 3 - 10 year warranty
Our own testing lab, with 20 different pieces of testing equipment
Ability to develop custom projects
Ability to provide custom packaging


I would really appreciate to hear anyone experience or ideas which would help what we are trying to do.

Kind Regards

Z

Look up local building associations and builders tradeshows in the country/area you are looking to expand in. Hire local sales reps familiar with the building industry.

Make sure that all of your marketing materials are reviewed by English speaking people where English is their first language - specifically UK English.

Join the National Association of Home Builders and go to their convention - used to be in the winter, but check. Make face-to-face intros and bring along a "shock and awe" package for each intended contact.

Make sure your measurements fit US standards. I used to sell a line of Italian doors - beautiful but they had to be reframed so US market was kind of a bust til HQ changed specs.