Import Measuring Instruments And Other Precision Testing Equipment From Japan

It never ceases to surprise me how business has changed over the course of my own career. When I first started out as a new college graduate, the standard mode of operation for just about any business was making a product and then selling it. That is still being done to some extent, but in a global economy doing business is increasingly a matter of recognizing a need, locating the product to fill that need, and then setting up the appropriate way of making the product available on the market. The difference is that actually making a product locally is no longer a requirement; it is simply a matter of locating it somewhere, establishing a relationship with the manufacturer, and then setting up your own sales channel. Everybody benefits.

I know very profitable companies whose entire business consists of locating interesting products and then reselling them on the US market. Since they do not need to stock a lot of product and have no R&D and manufacturing costs, they can offer attractive pricing and still have substantial profit margins. The arrangement benefits the original manufacturer as well. They expand their sales channel without having to invest in expensive advertising, marketing and retail sales efforts. What it all boils down to is finding the right products and making the initial connection. One way of doing that is by going to industry trade shows where manufacturers display their product lines in the hope of signing up new distributors. This can work out very well, but there are some drawbacks. Traveling to and attending trade shows is expensive, the rushed trade show atmosphere is not always conducive to making deals, and there may be language barriers.

For those who can negotiate those pitfalls and establish product import relationships, the rewards can be great. There are many industries that rely on electronics products that are primarily made in Japan and other Asian countries. Examples are scientific instruments; testing and measuring devices; electronic, mechanical and optical components; water analyzers and moisture meters; and all sorts of detectors and meters used in environmental engineering and numerous other areas. There is a substantial demand for high quality color meters, vibration meters, gas detecting tubes, grease dust meters, sound level meters, thickness meters, ozone detectors, refractometers, ultrasonic devices, and numerous other instruments and components including a large variety of testing equipment.

Make no mistake: this is not importing cheap or inferior quality products. Japan, especially, has an impeccable reputation for making the best and most sophisticated measuring and testing instruments. Many are not made anywhere else in the world, or at least not at anywhere near the same quality or price. Japanese industries and exporters are aware of that and are actively seeking trading partners in the United States and other parts of the world.

This is a great opportunity for small and large companies seeking to take advantage of international trade. Set up a relationship with a Japanese manufacturer and sell your own lineup of Japan-made measuring instruments and products.