From reactive to proactive export strategy
Based in Mequon, Wisconsin, Eagle Technology develops enterprise asset management software for use in factories, hospitals, educational institutions and other large buildings. Its multilingual software uses intelligent integration with other digital factory software such as manufacturing execution systems, supply chain software and enterprise resource planning software to enable the factory of the future to be more efficient, more adaptive and more productive. Although Eagle Technology has had global ambitions since it was founded in 1987, its international strategy has evolved as it has grown, and the company recently leveraged statewide resources to develop and execute an export plan to achieve additional productivity and profitability.
Leveraging statewide resources for growth
With the help of the ExporTech™ Program, an export readiness and expansion program offered by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership with support from WEDC, Eagle Technology began choosing export markets strategically rather than waiting for inquiries and orders to come in from abroad. After identifying Germany as its most promising export market during ExporTech, the company participated in the Wisconsin delegation at the 2016 Hannover Messe industrial trade fair in Germany, purchasing booth space with assistance from WEDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The company’s attendance at the trade show helped it add representation in Germany, leading to negotiations with potential distributors for its products in that market. Also in 2016, Eagle Technology leveraged an International Market Access Grant from WEDC to translate its website into seven languages and translate its product documentation into German to support further export growth—and the company completed Scale Up Milwaukee’s Scalerator program, designed to help small companies that have survived the startup phase but nevertheless can benefit from guidance as they move into the next phase of development.
(August 2017)
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