A new map for overseas expansion discovered by a health food company through "Omakase Trading" (a trading service).Top Climb Co., Ltd.

Could you tell us what led you to introduce STANDAGE's automated trading service this time?

Before the pandemic, our company had a local base in the Philippines and was conducting sales there using Facebook ads and e-commerce sites targeting affluent consumers. However, the pandemic temporarily disrupted those sales channels, forcing us to reconsider our overall approach to overseas expansion.

In addition, we faced significant challenges such as differences in language and business practices, as well as stringent regulations unique to each country, and we felt there were limits to what we could accomplish on our own. In this context, we decided to adopt STANDAGE's "Omakase Trading" service as a partner to overcome these challenges.

What exactly did it entail?

Currently, we are primarily receiving support for gathering primary information and conducting regulatory research in various countries in preparation for entering overseas markets. Specifically, we are receiving meticulous support in practical matters such as procedures related to health foods, including those with the FDA, and the verification and preparation of necessary documents for export to overseas markets.

In the short term, our focus is on strengthening sales in the Philippine market, where we already have a proven track record, by utilizing e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, in the medium to long term, we are also considering B2B expansion, and we have received strategic proposals to help us achieve this.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

Approximately one year has passed since its implementation, and primary information on the systems, regulations, and required documents of each country has been steadily gathered, making the overall picture of overseas expansion much clearer. In particular, registration procedures with the FDA and other organizations are extremely difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to handle on their own, but thanks to STANDAGE's leadership in this process, we are able to proceed with preparations with peace of mind.

Going forward, we expect even greater support from them in taking on a leadership role, such as providing more specific action plans and prioritizing the individual challenges our company faces.

What kind of support do you expect from Omakase Trading in the future?

Over the past year, we've gained a clearer "map" of what we need to do. However, we're still in the stage of finalizing the details of our strategy, such as which products to launch, in which markets, and at what timing. Our initial focus will be on generating short-term results using e-commerce platforms and other means, while also seeking support for more in-depth market research and strategic planning to realize our B2B expansion in Southeast Asia and the United States.

In particular, there are challenges such as the lack of manufacturing certifications like GMP and ISO, requiring responses that include collaboration with manufacturers. Organizing specific information on import regulations in each country is also urgently needed, and we strongly hope for support in these areas as well.

Comment from Mr. Ishikawa of Top Climb

To be honest, our initial feeling was, "We don't know which way to go." 'Omakase Trading' has been the one to draw that "map" for us. While we haven't seen tangible results yet, we've finally taken our first step towards overseas expansion. Going forward, we look forward to their continued leadership in implementing more concrete strategies.