‘Gateway’ helping SMEs to build export sales growth
SÉAMUS Murphy and Kilian Duignan founded their business in 2015 to help SMEs in Ireland diversify into overseas markets. Then, they could not have foreseen the uncertainty that lay ahead for SMEs who export from Ireland, due to Britain voting to leave the EU in June 2016. With over 14 billion euro worth of goods exported from Ireland to the UK last year, many Irish companies will be impacted by this decision.
Séamus and Kilian first established their market diversification business as part of a European joint venture with Business Boost International based in the Netherlands.
With challenges arising for Irish businesses due to Brexit, it became clear that a need was arising for specific and unique market diversification guidance for companies in Ireland.
To allow them to be fully focused on fulfilling this need, Séamus and Kilian made the decision to break away from the joint venture and rebrand their business. Earlier this year, Gateway was launched.
Gateway now offers a range of services to help SMEs build export sales growth. Services include Export Strategy Development, Partner Identification and Match-Making, Market-Led Value Proposition Development and Brexit Clinics. These services are important for exporters facing Brexit uncertainty but also for companies who never exported before.
Gateway is a Wexford-based company with a far reaching International footprint. Séamus and Kilian have established a network of Export Strategy professionals all over Europe and around the World, so when advising SMEs, research is based on insight and fact.
‘Exporting and developing sales in overseas markets can be an expensive business,’ says Kilian, ‘especially if it’s done without a structure or strategy. We believe it should be methodical, structured and process driven. That is why we developed a ‘7-Step Process to Market Diversification’. It’s a structured approach but with the flexibility of being adaptable for any business type.’
Gateway plan to roll out further services essential to the growth and development of SMEs over the coming months. Instrumental to that plan was the launch of a new website.
Séamus explains: ‘Our new site is part of our on-going strategy to enhance the quality and accessibility of export information for SMEs in Ireland seeking advice on internationalising their products or services.’
For further information, visit gatewayconsulting.ie, or phone 053-9100713.