Wanted: A Business Partner in US

[Elena]

The question is how to get US market? Where to go? How to find a partner for joint venturing?

We have designed, developed and produce Air-Only ventilators. They are on market since 2003. Were launched at Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam and got Design Award.

And… we have no distributor in US.

We sell to some boatbuilders and dealers in EU; we sell on EBay from time to time.

Samples: new Hallberg Rassy 64’ has 9 our ventilators on deck - on picture below; the last commercial buyer from US is Safe Boats.

[CatBuilder]

The product is very interesting. There seems to be a problem though. If you suffer a knockdown (boat rolls over upside down), it does not automatically close anymore. If you can alter the design just a little bit, to protect a capsized boat from sinking via the vents, you will have a winner.

If I wasn't building a boat, I'd help with marketing in the States. However, I don't have the time available. Best of luck. Good product.

[Elena]

If boat rolls over upside down it still automatically close.

Water stream will bring floating balls to the openings. And, finally, balls will close the openings. A very little water will pass through.

Have a look on our test pictures.

Thank you.

[CatBuilder]

Ah!! That makes sense.

Excellent invention. Aside from keeping people dry, these will save lives by preventing down flooding (and sinking) on capsize. Make sure you have a US Patent before you start marketing your product here. You don't want anyone else to copy the idea.

I say this because I recently learned of a DJ/musician I like (Edward Maya) who had his song illegally reproduced by record companies here in the States and Canada. They stole his Stereo Love song. Someone did a cover of it under a karaoke license and is touring the US. They area also getting radio airplay of the cover version and doing interviews all over the US. Music listeners are confused and think this stolen version is the real one. They think it is a new song by Mia Martina. The live shows all say "Edward Maya and Mia Martina", although Edward Maya is home in Romania and very angry about the situation. They are stealing his live concert revenue.

This kind of thing happens far too often here. Get that patent.

[Elena]

Thank you again.
Of course, we think about IP rights.

[Submarine Tom]

I think you meant "Wanted: A Business Partner In US".

Otherwise, it reads as past tense and of little interest.

A small, but significant, difference in English.

I hope that helps you.

Good luck.

-Tom

[Elena]

corrected , thanks
but it looks like I can not correct the thread title...

[Bamby]

Looks as if the site also will need to be Americanized with English measurements instead of metrics. I'm sort of in the market for maybe the low profile one that's on the site. The sites kind of vague as to how much or thickness of the material it will allow or adjust to. In my case it would be just over four inches with trim ring on bottom finished ceiling and the top sealed on rubber roofing material.

But besides some site work the product appears to have real potential....

[Elena]

Height of the cabin ring (part No DS7) is 100 mm
Diameter of cut-out is 95 mm. The pipe should be cut of up to necessary size.



No problem at all: site could be Americanized.

[Elena]

Would someone recommend US suppliers apart of West Marine?

I think West Marine and Walmart are it anymore... Those floating balls are not going to keep water out if the boat is knocked down - maybe a little as the water has to find the tortured path. Cat, I know these look convenient/easy and you are on a cat which is likely to stay upright but you'll want a dorade or cowl that is manually closable with a damper or screw-in plate.

[bntii]

Shops:

You might call Hamilton Marine up in Maine:

http://www.hamiltonmarine.com/

They are a good shop though I don't know them well enough to provide a contact person.

Also try Fawcett Boat Supplies in MD:

http://www.fawcettboat.com/

I know them very well but still don't know who the purchasing agent is there.
I can ask as my shop is just around the corner from their store.

Are you considering regional distributors?
If so on the east coast of US-

Hamilton Marine- North East
Fawcetts- Mid Atlantic
Some shop in Florida for South Atlantic

Proceed further to find a shop near the great lakes and several shops along the West coast.

Distributors:

If you want a broader reach of a online discount distributor look into Defender Industries:

http://www.defender.com/

One of the outfits which wholesales to the marine industry is Mesco:

http://mesconet.com/


Hope this helps
I will ask our parts guy who he is using on Monday and post additional if there are others of interest.


Advertising:

Try to get a review or add in the principal magazines here in the US such as:
Cruising World (http://www.cruisingworld.com/), Practical Sailor (http://www.practical-sailor.com/) and Ocean Navigator (http://www.oceannavigator.com/)

Get someone to host a booth at the trade or public boat shows:

Public-

Annapolis Boat Show- http://www.usboat.com/us-sailboat-show/home

This is not my area as I don't go out to the trade or public show outside of my area, but a little research will get you informed on the show circuit.

First goal is to be seen AND accepted in the industry- second is where to purchase.
Marketing is not my thing but it strikes me that a partnership must include some proven capacity to reach a broad enough market with sufficient sales volume.
For instance-I will happily become your East Coast distributor & I may even be able to sell several units per year to my clients....

[Elena]

bntii: thank you a lot! will do my homework now

mark775: they are keeping water out with any angle
okey, step by step and sorry for my English

1)vent is in water upside down as on the picture below
2)the distance between floating balls and apertures is a few millimeters
3)water flow bring floating ball to the aperture
4)floating ball close the aperture
5)more water - more water pressure - 'better' closure

vents are also is manually closable from inside

The manually closable part is the necessity. Good job.

[bntii]

I spoke with our parts guy today.

He gave the following:

Distributors:

Mesco
http://mesconet.com/

Kellogg
http://www.kelloggmarine.com/

Paxton
http://www.paxtonco.com/

Donovan
http://www.donovanmarine.com/Home.html

He said you might have the best luck with one or the other of the following:

Imtra
http://www.imtra.com/

or

PYI
http://www.pyiinc.com/


And the last is a representative for marine gear who was highly recommended and may be well worth a call to talk over what you are trying to accomplish:

Wicks Marine
http://www.wickesmarine.com/


Port Supply (West Marine) was NOT recommended...
I hope this helps
It looks like a good product & I wish you the best