Import vs export – an SME perspecve


Marn Stemp RS Aqua


In our global, hyper‐connected society, quickly and easily sourcing goods and services can be taken for granted. RS Aqua made its name as a UK importer and distributor of marine scienfic equipment, enabling UK customers to easily procure our imported products and services. However, over the past decade or so, RS Aqua have licensed and developed a number of “own brand” products, and export sales


have become an increasingly significant part of the business model. Export sales now compliment and augment our core import / distribuon business to a significant degree. Within this short arcle, I shall share some thoughts on the marine science technology import/export business.


Successful import business


Trading companies may provide a valuable import service to certain customers. In marine and marime technical industries,


the buyer is oen closely allied to the end user, who is typically an engineer or applied scienst. At RS Aqua we believe that to grow and to thrive, we must be more than a mere trading company. We intend to equal or beer the technical knowledge and applicaon experse of our customers, and to properly support the product throughout the full life cycle. Each element of the import and distribuon process must be ghtly controlled and quality assured of course, but value can always be added to the supply chain, which should not be overlooked. To thrive through imporng, a business must invest and evolve beyond the mere supply of goods.


An interesng recent example of an import project was a recent sensor package requirement for ASV Global. We ulised sensors and components from seven suppliers in 4 countries. We designed and delivered the compact profiling CTD systems with water clarity sensors, acousc modems, and with data mulplexed via fibre to the surface autonomous boat in real me. This complex and ghtly integrated system demonstrated the value of imported specialist equipment which was required to meet specificaons, but also proved that value that local technology companies like RS Aqua can provide. We designed and delivered a package


RS Aqua export sales example: Wave Radar REX measurement systems installed on The Harmony of the Seas. Photo credit: STX France / Bernard Biger


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Society of Marime Industries Handbook & Members’ Directory 2018


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