In the business world, there are countless small to medium-sized businesses marketing outstanding products or services. Unfortunately, because they lack visibility, however dynamic and high-performance they may be, these structures are scarcely noticed at home in Belgium or internationally. For these companies, Epicure can intervene to varying degrees and play the role of marketing, commercial, or financial department and/or back office for them. At the same time, supported by an international network of contacts, we can help them to set new goals. And attain them!

International business.
• Drawing up the business plan.
• Analysis and advice on the target markets, competitive terms, demand, pricing policy…
• Setting the Incoterms - INternational COmmercial TERMS. These determine the mutual obligations of the seller and the buyer within the framework of a contract for international purchasing/sales.
• …

Finance.
• Analysis of balance sheets.
• Negotiation of conditions of payment with partners and clients/suppliers.
• Seeking capital to be applied within the framework of Import/Export activities.
• Contact with local or global financial authorities.
• Analysis and cover of exchange rate risk.
• …

Custom and duties.
• Analysis, investigation and completion of all the necessary formalities depending on the products and markets involved.
• …

Insurance.
• Analysis of the existing portfolio.
• Advice according to risks.
• Negotiation of cover with various organisations.
• Self-Insurance (this is a solution whereby sufficient reserves are set aside to cover operational risks).
• …

Logistics.
• Analysis, advice, finding partners able to provide logistics services (air, rail, sea, road, road-rail …) with or without added value (storage, processing, repackaging…).
• Setting up a Supply Chain or Logistical Chain, that is, the series of necessary steps from the manufacture to the marketing of a product: purchasing, supplies, management of stocks, transport, handling, IT… The logistics chain may extend globally, within the company itself, but also throughout the network of suppliers and their subcontractors.
• …

Countertrade market.
• An exporter involved in countertrade may be required, in order to reach a market, to receive or have purchased goods or services from clients abroad, which may be done as a supplement to or instead of the monetary payment. The products for countertrade are not always manufactured by the importer. They may come from another company known as a third party vendor, associated with the importer by contract. After receiving the countertrade products, the exporter may then sell them to the end-user or to a merchant. They may also call upon a third-party purchaser who agrees to accept delivery of countertrade products in exchange for payment. These countertrade transactions can be accessible to SMEs on the condition that they engage the help of specialists, particularly in order to draw up a clear strategy and a detailed financial plan, to obtain the most accurate possible evaluation of the potential costs and risks, to identify the right contacts and to draw up a secure contract that ensures their protection.

Mergers & acquisitions.
• Analysis and implementation of a merger with the goal of penetrating a market and/or increasing market share.
• …

Quality standards
• Analysis, advice, implementation and follow-up of complete processes with the goal of obtaining one or more quality certifications (e.g. ISO standards).
• …