More than 360 potential partners were prospected and the 15 companies belonging to the trade mission took part in 152 meetings during the two-day event
The 35 business deals begun during the Brasil-Mexico Furniture Industry Encounter, organized by the Brazilian Furniture Project and by The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil – Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos), October 24 and 25, in Mexico City, surpassed all expectations and could result in more than US$ 3 million for the participating Brazilian companies.
“More than 360 potential Mexican partners were prospected, including importers, distributors and merchants, 152 meetings were held during the two-day event. Three companies came back from Mexico’s capital city with contracts already signed,” said João Araújo Pinto Neto, Manager of the Brazilian Furniture Project.
Brazil’s ambassador to Mexico, Marcos Raposo Lopes, and sub-secretary Marcelo Calero visited the Encounter, which was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Ministério das Relações Exteriores – MRE), for the purpose of identifying potential buyers among the country’s large retailers, like Grupo Coppel, Liverpool, Muebles Troncoso, Muebleria Standard, and Sisbra Distribuidora.
The Brazilian companies took a very broad portfolio to the Brasil-Mexico Furniture Industry Encounter, from ready-to-assemble (RTA) pieces for the living room, bedroom and kitchen, planned children’s office and kitchen furnishings to those with high-aggregate value and distinctive design. The Brazilian trade mission was formed by Artefama, Bertolini, BRV Móveis, Caemmun, Carraro, Colibri, Irmol, Leifer, Mavaular, Mademóveis, LineaBrasil, Moval, Multimóveis, Serpil and Unicasa.
The first time for Linea Brasil at the Brasil-Mexico Encounter was more than successful. The company, which is headquartered in the Arapongas furniture hub, signed two trade agreements in the amount of US$ 150,000 and opened the prospects of new business on the order of US$ 600,000 for the next twelve months.
“Our involvement in the Mexican market takes place through partners, and we had an opportunity to meet with 18 importers in just two days. The format of the event, with pre-scheduled rounds of business negotiations and visits of buyers to our stand, favors the signing of new contracts, because we end up meeting with companies that are truly interested in selling our line of products for entertainment centers in their country,” explains Joyce Akiko Mima Fakeite, who is responsible for the export area of Linea Brasil.
Cledson Stello, the export supervisor for Unicasa Móveis, which is a company from the State of Rio Grande do Sul that is responsible for the Dell Anno, Favorita, New, and Telasul brands, says that the encounter allowed initial contacts for setting up the first story exclusively for the brand in Mexico. “The possible annual sales of one of our units with this profile are about US$ 500,000,” Cledson says, adding that conversations also began with a large hotel chain in that country.
“Although sales to the Mexican market have suffered with the world economic crisis, they have been showing a gradual recovery trend, and one of the objectives of this initiative is specifically to consolidate this trend. From October 2011 to October 2012, taking into account only the 52 companies belonging to the Project, exports to Mexico grew 53%. This is undoubtedly a strategic market that is loaded with opportunities, especially via local partners,” Adriana Katekawa highlights. She is responsible for the commercial intelligence area of Brazilian Furniture.
