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Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: Sundance Scooters
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Sundance Scooters TM: A Business Idea… Now a Reality
A car accident and the desire to get his son off the congested roads was what got Troy Daniels, now owner of Sundance Scooters TM, into thinking about other transportation options and into the business of manufacturing and selling scooters. The Fort Worth International Center is the agency who assisted him in making his business idea a reality.
“I firmly believe that if people stop driving for every little errand they need to do and start finding other alternatives, the number of car accidents would significantly reduce,” says Daniels.
The Fort Worth International Center, did most of the work needed to introduce me to the China Council for Promoting International Trade, explains Daniels.
“When Troy came to my office, coincidently we were planning a trade mission to China,” indicates Sigi Frias, director of the Fort Worth International Center. He was very well informed about the status of the market and the future trends but was unaware of how business transactions are carried out overseas, he adds.
The main objective of our trade missions is to make business opportunities available for Fort Worth companies.
“Thanks to the mission to China, I was able to find the right manufacturer in China, start my scooter business in my hometown (Fort Worth) and now –two years later- I’m planning to expand my borders,” says Daniels.
Sundance Scooters TM, located at 1311 West Magnolia, is a new trademark carrying four types of scooters: Tango, Route 66, Raptor and Sierra.
All scooters are manufactured with proven technology, which Daniels and staff put to the test before displaying any product for sale. This type of testing ensures that the customer will receive the quality of product they expect.
All four scooter models are on display around Fort Worth: downtown at the Fort Worth International Center, Westerly Tier and Automotive on Camp Bowie Boulevard, Cousins BBQ on Bryant Irvin Road and Old Neighborhood Grill in near Southside.
To kick off the holiday season, Sundance Scooters TM is offering 40 percent off on two scooter models: Tango and Route 66, while supply last.
For more information on this new homegrown Fort Worth company contact Troy Daniels at (817) 675.5546. To view the different scooter models visit one of their four showrooms or online at www.sundancescooters.com . Business Mission to Canada Grand Succés Business Mission to Canada Grand Succés October 16-19, 2007 The Fort Worth International Center and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce recently organized a business trade mission to Montréal, Québec, Canada (October 16-19, 2007). The focus of the mission was direct private meetings with high-ranking representatives of Canadian companies that matched the specific criteria and profile specified by our business participants. Each day’s agenda consisted of each delegates departing for their individual private meetings scheduled for that day (2-3 per day, depending on travel time) and group dinners.
To prepare the delegation members for a productive business mission, an orientation seminar was conducted prior to the trip and bi-lingual (English-French) marketing materials including individual company flyers were designed and printed.
The delegation consisted of business representatives in industries that ranged from aerospace, law, manufacturing, distribution, telecommunication, government and education. They included: DFW International Airport, GTech Precision, Photo Etch, City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Governor’s Office Aerospace and Aviation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Cantera de América y Arte, LLC, Braumiller Schulz & Co., and InterConnect Wiring, LLP. The Dallas delegation that accompanied the Fort Worth delegation included: PageSoutherlandPage, Cooksey Communications, Greater Dallas Chamber, and Baylor Research Institute and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Due to the quality of matches that were organized, expectations are high that business transactions will be successfully concluded by our delegation members. As part of the services of the Fort Worth International Center staff will remain engaged to assist the delegation members in all aspects of an international transaction. To accomplish the task of identifying the ideal Canadian companies and authorized executives within those companies so that a business proposal could be put forth to determine if the company was a match took approximately 5 months of preparation. In addition to arranging individual meetings for the participants in Montréal, all of the negotiations for logistics including hotels, airfare, air transportation, ground transportation, translators, business receptions, meals, print materials and agendas were done by staff of the Fort Worth International Center and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Two special packages were offered to our delegates; the basic and the full package. The basic package included airfare, hotel, group transportation, two group dinners, marketing materials and logistics support for the meetings. The estimated cost for the basic package was $1,298. The second package, $1,998, the full package included everything from the basic package plus we set up the private one-on-one meetings for the delegate. During the business mission several tracks were underway at the same time. The different tracks included: Private one-on-one meetings, ITAR Seminar host by the Fort Worth International Center and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce to recruit Canadian Aerospace companies to Fort Worth, Invest in Texas Seminar, and recruitment calls to selected Canadian companies. The next step will be to follow-up with the recruitment targets and ITAR attendees and a reciprocal Montréal mission to Fort Worth.
D/FW Canada Trade Facts
Quotes from Delegates that participated
According to Joe Brown, president of GTech Precision, "The Fort Worth Chamber and International Center did an excellent job in arranging the business trip to Montreal Canada. Besides arranging 5 new customer calls, in which, I was able to meet with Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Directors; the itinerary, dinners, hotel selection, and overall organization was very professional. I am pleased to say that we are expecting 3 quotation packages and feel strongly that we will be successful in achieving new business from at least one of these new clients."
Traveling to Montreal to discuss a possible Sister City relationship proved to be very worthwhile for Mae Ferguson president and CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities International. “I discovered that Montreal and Fort Worth are very similar in many ways. Significant economic relations already exist with the possibility of many more through a formalized relationship. Continued discussions with city officials from Montreal and local Fort Worth stakeholders will occur over the next few months to determine the possibility of Montreal as our 8th sister city.”
“It was absolutely fantastic,” expressed Brad Davidson, marketing and customer service manager for Photo Etch, a Fort Worth-based manufacturer of aeronautic display and control panels, flight simulation and training components, and black boxes. “We had access to top-level executives, not the company’s buyers. We talked to decision makers. They opened doors we’ve never been able to open before, and we had the power of our local government behind us. We saw one group that for whatever reason, since our opening in 1968, we hadn’t had an audience with, and now we are already executing nondisclosure agreements so we can proceed with negotiations.”
“This was the first trade mission for Michelle Schulz of Braumiller Schulz & Co., and it will certainly not be her last. “ The team of the Fort Worth International Center and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce did an amazing job of planning events and arranging meetings with key business contacts in Canada. After only a few days, I have already received two new business opportunities as a result of this trip!” Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: Global Executive Forum Group Global Executive Forum Group:
“We Build Global Relationships”
Many business leaders have this burning concern:
You can put this and other concerns to rest because there is an organization that provides answers to these issues and more!
The Global Executive Forum Group brings together and facilitates a dialogue about business in the global marketplace between two diverse groups of people: U.S. company leaders and international businesspersons/students enrolled in MBA programs. There are several successful, permanent chapters of the Global Executive Forum throughout the country, including a newly established chapter at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. The current TCU group includes students and business leaders from Taiwan, China, Germany, Nigeria and the Ukraine. All have significant business experience with one being the president of a company in his native country.
The TCU chapter meets monthly at TCU from 10:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Morning sessions focus on issue discussions facilitated by the chapter leader. Members are encouraged to share challenging issues with the group where the fellow members can ask questions and give recommendations, essentially acting as a board of advisers. The goal is not to reach a single consensus solution, but rather offer options so the member can make the best possible decision. The issues are compelling, usually very confidential and of critical strategic or financial importance.
At lunch the group is joined by an expert in a key leadership-related field for an informal, yet interactive presentation including member questions and answers.
In addition to the chapter meetings the chapter leader meets with each member quarterly for a private coaching session.
Some of the reasons why business leaders join the Global Executive Forum Group:
The Global Executive Forum Group is a division of the Executive Forum Group (www.malbass.com) a national executive organization in its 6th year.
For more information contact Mal Bass, president, at 817-540-0605 or mal@malbass.com. Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: Market Graphics Market Graphics: Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: DigiSource International DigiSource International Fast Facts Industry/Services: Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Value-Added Services including product packaging, warehousing, reverse logistics, and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations. Location: Alliance Intermodal Corridor 4800 Alliance Gateway Freeway #100 Fort Worth, Texas 76177 www.digisource-intl.com Top Executives: Alan Heatley, President alan.heatley@digisourceusa.com 817.491.9301 Scott Paul, Officer, spaul@digisourceusa.com Darryl Smith, Officer, dsmith@digisourceusa.com Major Customers: Motorola Company Profile DigiSource International is a leading provider of value-added Third-Party Logistics (3PL) services with both on-site and off-site management services designed to provide wholesalers with a turnkey solution for managing their inventory, product final assembly, special packaging and customer configuration of customizable products. The services offered by DigiSource are ideally suited for wholesalers that need a fast turnaround on final assembly, testing, inventory control and customizing of their products. Cellular telephones, laptop computers, pharmaceuticals, and electronics such as iPods are just a few of the line of products that DigiSource can streamline. Alan Heatley describes some of DigiSource’s capabilities, “Imagine being able to manufacture cellular telephone components in China. But instead of having final assembly performed at the factory in China, the components are shipped unassembled in bulk to your warehouse. By postponing the final assembly until a purchase order is generated by your customer, you would be able to combine universal base components with interchangeable pieces such as software and case color to produce customized models that meet customer-specific requirements. This in effect would allow you to quickly configure and deliver customized products while minimizing inventory.” DigiSource manages a well trained staff that can anticipate and respond to these types of fulfillment scenarios. And, since the services are provided by a third party, customer direct costs do not increase. Need to stock the parts outside of your facility? DigiSource provides a wide of array of secure warehousing services. Importing products from overseas? DigiSource’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) capabilities enable you to defer payment of import duties till a purchase order is received, and may eliminate your state inventory tax bill. Need the work performed at your location? DigiSource manages large scale kitting operations in its customer’s facility. In short we are a turnkey solution for your distribution chain and our references include such names as Motorola”. In six short years, DigiSource has produced and distributed nearly 500 million units to its customers. The company’s production and distribution operations conform to Six-Sigma quality controls, and ISO processes. DigiSource provides the following broad array of value added services including: packaging, reverse logistics, Foreign Trade Zone, warehousing, and transportation. Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: The TextLab The TextLab New to the Fort Worth International Center, The TextLab, a language and translation company The TextLab established an office at the Fort Worth International Center in August 2006. Offering language resources to organizations branching out to the world marketplace, The TextLab services include the complete translation of documents, contracts, or emails into ANY language, in addition to editing, proofreading, multilingual copywriting and project management. The TextLab not only assists businesses in selling their product, service or idea, but also locate their position in the international marketplace. All services offered by The TextLab are guaranteed to be understandable and accepted by the targeted foreign market. “We build our services on the solid background of the European translation tradition, extensive education and unparalleled experience of our linguistic team,” said Hana Laurenzo, operations director. One goal of The TextLab is to increase the awareness of the effects of multi-lingual business documents in local companies. Laurenzo explained that many businesses do not realize that they are losing money because of their persistence in keeping documents and product information only in the English language. “We need to change the mindset of U.S. businesses to expand their product information into multiple languages to reach a more diverse target market,” she said. Laurenzo moved to Fort Worth seven years ago from the Czech Republic, where she presently co-owns another full-service translation company that provides services to the European market. Laurenzo’s European success drove the decision to expand internationally after her move to Fort Worth. With the company’s accumulated network of translators in Asia, Europe and throughout the world, The TextLab has established itself in the United States and is now in its second year of operations. Contact The TextLab at their new home, suite 104 at the Fort Worth International Center [808 Throckmorton Street], by phone at (817) 441-9974, or e-mail info@thetextlab.com. Fort Worth Business in the Spotlight: Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing , LLC Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing, LLC New to the Fort Worth International Center, Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing, LLC, a sales and marketing firm Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing, LLC began its operations in April 2006. The firm offers integrated sales and marketing solutions for companies looking to effectively position themselves in the global market. Their services include identity recognition, content development for diverse markets, multimedia development, public and media relations, sales and marketing strategy integration, virtual and traditional media placement and interactive multimedia displays. Its principals have extensive backgrounds in advertising, brand positioning and design, multinational sales operations, commercial real estate and corporate treasury management. This vast direct knowledge positions Blueback Sockeye as uniquely capable of meeting the needs of their clientele. Today’s executives must be multi-national thinkers, and Blueback Sockeye assists international organizations or those interested in expanding globally to meet that challenge. Co-founder Suzanne Brown says that they are prepared to go where the market is and that it is no longer about operating only on “Main Street in Fort Worth.” Blueback Sockeye reminds companies that in order to make a global impact you must think globally! Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing, LLC strives to educate potential clients about the benefits of integrating sales and marketing. Edie Belzner, who co-founded Blueback Sockeye along with Brown back in April, explained how the distance between the two has been eliminated recently and that marketing is not solely about creating clever campaigns anymore. “Utilizing emerging technologies and cultural knowledge is one of the central messages that we want to convey [with Blueback Sockeye Sales and Marketing LLC],” Belzner said. Brown and Belzner have close ties with the City of Fort Worth. The two not only grew up in and around the city, but were also members of the same class at Project New, an intense ten-week session for new entrepreneurs entering the business world offered by the Women’s Business Center. “This is home to us and is a smart place to do business,” Brown said. Brown and Belzner were attracted to the Fort Worth International Center because of its “visible location, credibility and in-house resources and organizations.” “Everything is here,” Brown said about the International Center. “You are not in the game unless you are in the international game. This is by far the best business decision that we’ve ever made!” For more information about Blueback Sockeye, contact them at (817) 810-0900, or at info@bluebacksockeye.com. Also, feel free to stop by and visit them at the Fort Worth International Center, 808 Throckmorton Street, suite 102. 2006 winners named at Mayor's Global Business Awards June 29, 2006– Mayor Mike Moncrief recognized Tarrant County businessmen and women for their achievements in exporting, importing and international service and awarded SPM Flow Control, Inc., Teresa’s Treasures and BNSF Railway Company the 2006 Mayor’s Global Business Awards respectively. New to the Fort Worth International Center, Ernst O.W. Daus, Business Development Consultant for the European Market Ernst O.W. Daus is an international consultant who is in the process of expanding his services and establishing himself within the United States. For the past eight years, Mr. Daus has worked as a consultant in restructuring and financial management for various European and American companies. The four areas of business that Mr. Daus is pursuing in the Fort Worth area are international business consulting, executive recruitment, offering venture capital and the search for commercial real estate for international investors. As an international business consultant, Mr. Daus will be working in cooperation with his associated partner, Wolfgang Liebert Consultancy, in Berlin. “We are seeking to establish connections with U.S. companies who are interested in the European market and need the initial help of experts who are familiar with the peculiarities in marketing, production, legal and financial requirements of doing business in Europe,” Mr. Daus said of himself and his partner, Wolfgang Liebert. Another area of focus for Mr. Daus is searching for executives on behalf of European human resource departments such as Feige Business Advisors GmbH, a German personnel consultancy. Mr. Daus recently made the move from Berlin to Texas with his wife and two sons and has established himself at the Fort Worth International Center to facilitate his networking process as he begins a new stage in his professional career here in Fort Worth. The Fort Worth International Center strives to become the location that brings together businesses and agencies involved in international commerce and provide services allowing them to compete and succeed in the global marketplace. Mr. Daus can be contacted by phone at 817-810-0377 or by email at e.daus@liebert-berlin.de or ernst.daus@feige-business-advisors.de New to the Fort Worth International Center, KaiZa Equipment, LLC a medical equipment distributor KaiZa Equipment, LLC is a medical equipment and accessories distributor. The company was founded by Dennerd Ovando of Cleburne, Texas in June 2005. Ovando always dreamed of running his own company and eventually taking it international. With the help of his good friend Ruth Latorre, now the manager of KaiZa, the two began looking for a location to establish the business. They initially contacted the Fort Worth International Center seeking advice on setting up their exporting business, and soon realized that the connections, visibility and international expertise of the International Center could prove to be an invaluable resource. Their business officially opened an office at the Fort Worth International Center in March 2006. “We wanted to be located at the International Center because this organization opened their doors to us from the very beginning,” Ovando said. “Being located at the Fort Worth International Center provides us the opportunity to come in contact with other businesses who are potential clients. This location also gives our business a tremendous amount of prestige and our customers more confidence.” KaiZa, with the assistance of the International Center, continues to establish itself in the Fort Worth and international business community. KaiZa Equipment primarily buys medical equipment accessories and distributes to nursing homes, hospitals and medical clinics throughout Texas. Additionally, KaiZa distributes in Mexico and is moving toward becoming a more diversified international business. Their products include items such as parts for hospital beds, incubator remote controls and surgical lamps. "We would also like to distribute our products to the rest of Latin and South America,” Latorre said. “Eventually, we would also like to diversify KaiZa to distribute more than just medical supplies.” As a small business, KaiZa prides itself on commitment to customer satisfaction, Honesty, integrity and dedication to their clients’ needs. To learn more details, contact KaiZa Equipment at (817)870-4673 or e-mail at kaizaequipment@yahoo.com. Feel free to visit at their new office, suite 101, at the Fort Worth International Center. |
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