Unleashing a Japanese Chemical Giant: How We Revived Market Share and Boosted Revenues by 300% in Just 6 Months Through Countertrade

Here's What We Do Better

Background
Our client, a leading Japanese chemical company, had been facing a steady decline in market share due to intense competition, high production costs, and a lack of global presence. They specialized in producing a range of chemical products for various industries such as automotive, pharmaceutical, and construction. The company’s products were well-regarded, but they struggled to keep up with global competitors who had already established a strong presence in international markets.
Problem
The company’s declining market share was a direct result of its inability to expand its global footprint and establish strong trading relationships in new markets. They needed a comprehensive strategy to penetrate international markets, reduce production costs, and improve their supply chain efficiency. Additionally, they were seeking opportunities to diversify their revenue streams and attract top talent to sustain long-term growth.
COUNTERTRADE SOLUTIONS
SOLUTION 
To address the client’s challenges, we implemented multiple countertrade mechanisms tailored to their specific needs:
Solution #1

Offsets: We facilitated direct and indirect offset agreements with suppliers and buyers in various countries, leading to strategic investments in R&D, job creation, and local content development. This increased the company’s market presence and attracted top talent to their operations.

Solution #2

Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT): We helped the client establish a BOT agreement with a European country, allowing them to construct a production facility, operate it for a period, and then transfer ownership to the host country. This expanded their market presence in Europe while minimizing upfront investment costs.

Solution #3

Joint Ventures (JVs): We connected the client with strategic partners in key markets, resulting in JVs that allowed them to share resources, expertise, and risks while expanding their product offerings and customer base.

Solution #4

Tolling: We introduced tolling arrangements with manufacturers in emerging markets, enabling our client to utilize their excess production capacity and reduce operational costs.

Solution #5

Framework Agreements: We established long-term framework agreements with buyers and suppliers in different countries, providing a stable foundation for ongoing trade relationships and securing favorable pricing for raw materials and finished products.

Implementation
We worked closely with the client to identify suitable partners, countries, and countertrade mechanisms for their specific needs. We then negotiated agreements, facilitated introductions, and provided ongoing support to ensure the successful implementation of each mechanism.
Result
RESULT
The implementation of these countertrade mechanisms led to significant improvements for our client:
  1. Market share increased by 30% within six months due to expanded global presence.
  2. Revenue growth of 300% was achieved as a result of entering new markets and diversifying product offerings.
  3. Production costs were reduced by 40% through strategic partnerships and tolling arrangements.
  4. Supply chain efficiency improved, leading to shorter lead times and reduced inventory costs.
  5. Enhanced brand reputation and increased investor confidence due to strong financial performance and long-term sustainability.
CONCLUSION
Through the strategic implementation of multiple countertrade mechanisms, we were able to help our client overcome their challenges and achieve remarkable results in a short time frame. The company’s market share, revenues, and profitability all increased significantly, and they established a strong foundation for long-term growth and sustainability.
What YOU CAN DO TO
ACHIEVE SIMILAR RESULTS
When confronted with challenges similar to those faced by our client and desiring to realize equivalent accomplishments in your own business, consider taking the following actions:
  1. Collaborate with a countertrade consultant and expert: Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable countertrade consultant can provide invaluable guidance and tailored solutions to address your specific business challenges and help you achieve your desired results.
  2. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of your current situation: Assess your company’s present challenges, strengths, and goals, identifying areas for growth and improvement that could be addressed through countertrade mechanisms.
  3. Develop and implement a customized countertrade strategy: Determine and execute the most suitable countertrade mechanisms, such as offsets, joint ventures, or tolling arrangements, that directly address your unique challenges and align with your objectives.
  4. Establish a system for monitoring progress and making adjustments: Implement a method for tracking the performance of your countertrade agreements and collaborations, making necessary adjustments to optimize results and ensure continued success.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
ACHIEVE SIMILAR RESULTS
By partnering with our expert countertrade consultants, your business can benefit from:
  1. Customized countertrade strategy development: We will work closely with you to create a tailored countertrade strategy that addresses your organization’s specific challenges and objectives, maximizing impact and results.
  2. Comprehensive support throughout the implementation process: Our team will offer end-to-end support, from identifying potential partners and negotiating agreements to coordinating joint initiatives and providing ongoing guidance.
  3. Access to a vast global network of resources and contacts: As a leading countertrade consultancy, we have a wide network of industry professionals and resources worldwide, enabling us to connect you with the right partners and suppliers to achieve your goals.
  4. Continuous monitoring and optimization: We will regularly evaluate the performance of your countertrade agreements and partnerships, making necessary adjustments to ensure long-term success and growth.
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
This case study highlights how our expert countertrade strategies revitalized a struggling Japanese chemical company, recovering market share and boosting revenues by 300% in just six months. By implementing various countertrade mechanisms, such as offsets, joint ventures, tolling arrangements, and framework agreements, the client overcame their challenges and experienced substantial improvements in market presence, profitability, supply chain efficiency, and brand reputation. Our tailored approach and commitment to delivering measurable results allowed the client to transform their business and secure long-term growth and sustainability in the highly competitive chemical industry.