(06-20-2011, 05:51 PM)MichiganMan Wrote: Congratulations on your decision to start a new business. Having been in your shoes before I would suggest that you should begin with what you know best. What industry is your APS-HVOF experience from? The market you know best is always the safest place to start.
Hello MichiganMan! thanks for your reply and your precious advises!
I used to work at a company which is into the aerospace industry, i've made my experience only in this field.
(06-20-2011, 05:51 PM)MichiganMan Wrote: Have you had any direct communication with customers in the past? Forthright discussion with existing contacts over a lunch or dinner may point you directly to the contacts you need to secure your first order. It can be as simple as saying: I'd like to find out how to get "x" contract with your company. Do you know with whom I'd have to speak in order to get that opportunity? NOTE: Larger companies and companies in more stringently regulated industries (like aerospace or defense) tend to be more time consuming to get established with as a new vendor.
I used to have daily contact with customers but unfortunately as you correctly pointed out aerospace companies aren't exactly easy to start business with because they strictly require organized and certified coating structures (possibly with a long proven business history) and moreover a single product validation may last 2 years, then it'll go under production and the coating company starts seeing money.
(06-20-2011, 05:51 PM)MichiganMan Wrote: If you don't have sales experience, then you would be making a mistake not to get someone to help with contacts and experience. I can't say I know much about the business environment in Northern Italy, but I would guess that you probably have some opportunity working with an industry rep if it is similar to the US. Reps tend to have a specific industry focus for sales, but not a tremendous amount of technical capability for special processes like thermal spray. They can pipe you into contacts and get you the opportunity to solve problems for customers, but lack the ability to solve the problem themselves. Ususally they are paid by commission and represent many companies at just a few locations, but are focused on decent sized contracts that would be worthwhile.
As you wrote a good step ahead for myself would be to find out a good sales represantative who could get me in a contract in order to start my business.
As i cannot start in the field i better know (aerospace), from which field is best and easy to start with? which field has the lowest technical requirements? Lowest quality checks (cut ups, non destructive tests....)? On which field could i start the business with fewer equipments, like a sandblasting machine and a HVOF booth?
Thanks, Luca