As of 2021, even though Brazil is still primarily an exporter of commodities such as soybeans (11.6% of total export volume), petroleum oils (10.7%) and iron ores (10.1%), nearly half of its population are now internet users and their eagerness to adopt new technologies, make it a particularly attractive place for international online retailers, fashion & accessories companies and electronic appliances providers all over the world.

Since 2019, having dethroned China, Mexico is the US’ top trading partner with 14.7% of total trade while the top 3 main US trading partners, along with Canada and China, still represent over 40% of the overall trading activity of the United States of America. Rising freight costs and the need to diversify supply chains were some of the main factors influencing the shift towards US closest neighbors.

The year 2020 posed a tremendous challenge for humanity. More specifically, it took a major toll in every business around the world no matter the size, as the impact of the Covid-19 crisis thoroughly affected both supply-side and demand-side of the world economy. According to a McKinsey report, roughly 70% of interviewed European SMEs stated that their revenues had declined as a result of the pandemic.

In this unprecedented context of a rampant need for virtual presence coupled with intense globalization and intertwinement, hyper connectivity took the center stage. Surprisingly, on a global scale, it managed to stand up to the challenge of empty offices, remote working modality and a plethora of lockdown and social distancing measures which can now be seen as the so-called “new normal”. Nevertheless, it is still true today, as it will henceforth: A hyper connected world facilitates engagement in business no matter the traveling distance, the different languages nor the size of firms and deals.  

Continuous innovation is a major challenge faced by business executives today. As customer needs grow more diverse in the face of a globalizing economy, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to innovate and meet all of their customers’ needs on their own. Thankfully business leaders are finding a strategic partnership to be a meaningful way to meet customer demands. READ MORE

What industry insights and added business value could you discover by listening and collaborating with your import partners?

The recent lowering of trade barriers between the US and a host of other countries is set to simplify cross-border business relationships and streamline the flow of goods and materials. This trend will continue with the recently signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), while the strong dollar presents an opportunity for importers to lower supply costs and boost the value of customer offerings.

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Choosing the right industrial warehouse solutions for your business is critical. The process must be attended to with methodical and strategic consideration, lending warehouse planning its complex and often time-consuming nature.

This guide will walk you through five key considerations for choosing the warehouse solutions that are right for your business.
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With increasing access to, and demand from, overseas markets, today’s SME’s are ideally poised to realize the immense opportunity and lucrative potential that lies in exporting their products. Typically, though, small and medium-size businesses don’t have the resources – financial, operational or otherwise – to move beyond their own locally established domestic markets and meet with compliance needs, no matter how great the prospect of new international market expansion. READ MORE

Welcome to Partnerships Matter, our column on businesses changing lives and growing their operations through strategic partnerships and collaboration. In this first edition, we explore how Ayla Networks and REGEN Energy are collaborating to help businesses save on energy through the Internet of Things. READ MORE

Buyer-seller relations can take on many forms, but it’s when they evolve into partnerships that they allow for the leanest supply chains and the highest profits. Such alliances, called channel partnerships, allow buyers and sellers to work together to find distributors and add the most value to their supply chain. READ MORE