Associated Marketing Client Profiles

Associated Marketing Clients

Associated Marketing has worked with a wide variety of clients in different industries over its 40+ years in business. These clients have been based in Ireland, the UK, EU, US, China and Australia and have included manufacturers of:
  

  •  furniture (for the residential and office markets) 
  • wallcoverings and upholstery (for the residential and contract markets) 
  • flooring (for the contract and residential markets) 
  • pencil wood (for a supplier to OEM manufacturers) 
  • pet food (consumer products, sold through retail )
  • specialist contract cleaning machinery and consumables (for floors, walls, ceilings and upholstery) 
  • vacuum cleaners (into the professional, contract cleaning industry) 
  • pharmaceuticals (for the equine and dairy industries) 
  • specialist joinery products (designer doors, panels and tables)  
  • modular entrance matting systems (for use in contract applications) 

 
Client examples follow. 
  

Waterford Carpets Ltd., Ireland
 
Associated Marketing has established and continues to develop and grow an active agent and distributor/stockist network for Waterford Carpets, a network which now extends across the Middle East, India, South-east Asia, Australia and New Zealand. 
 
Established in 1969, Waterford Carpets Ltd. manufactures Tretford cord carpet, a unique contract floorcovering with a face fibre comprised predominantly of goat hair (www.tretford.com). Tretford is known, world-wide for its amazing colours, its timeless corded look and, in terms of performance, a track record that is second-to-none. Tretford is specified extensively for use in offices, schools, gyms and retail fit-out. Waterford Carpets employs in excess of 40 people. 

Associated Marketing has worked with Waterford Carpets since 1974 handling, initially, the Irish market only. The company was, soon after, appointed to open and develop the then emerging markets of the Middle East including Saudi Arabia. Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. South-east Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia) and Australia and New Zealand followed. Despite the logistical, tariff and non-tariff barriers to be overcome, Australia is currently one of Tretford's largest export markets and is still growing. Associated Marketing has also completed 3 consultancy projects for Waterford Carpets in the US where Waterford Carpets has a subsidiary. 

Associated Marketing is now targeting the emerging Indian market (where one distributor has already been successfully appointed) and the Japanese market. India has high tariff barriers (over 27%) and low developer budgets but is destined to be a powerhouse of the world economy over the next 20 years. Japan is currently struggling with natural disasters and recession but is still the world's 3rd largest economy and remains quality-driven. It presents growth opportunities for Tretford in an otherwise depressed world economy. 

  

EU-Based Modular Matting Manufacturer 
  
A leading and innovative manufacturer of modular matwell and entrance matting solutions has contracted Associated Marketing Ltd. to develop the Asian markets for its entrance matting products. The manufacturer already has a presence in Japan and Australia but wishes to extend this into other markets of South-East Asia while it focuses on the US market. Associated Marketing is targeting, initially, the markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, India and South Korea where it is establishing a network of stocking distributors with particular expertise in the sectors for which the products are suited.
  
The product range comprises high quality modular matwell and entrance matting systems designed for use in exterior and interior applications. Typical examples would include the entrances to office buildings, banks, hotels, shopping centres, public buildings, airports, railway stations, leisure centres and retail outlets. Roll and modular wet are matting solutions for pool, gym and shower applications are also offered. 
 
As part of the total marketing solution being provided by Associated Marketing Ltd., the range is being promoted under the name A-Mats®, a brand developed by Associated Marketing Ltd..  

  
  
Ambro Australia Pty Ltd. 
  
Associated Marketing was appointed in 2006 to roll-out distribution for Ambro across the EU, US and India. It has also been tasked with identifying manufacturers local to each market/region to manufacture Ambro's products under licence.
 

Ambro is committed to the design, development and manufacture of its trademark and stunning Luminate®-based products using its proprietary Stayblewood® technology (www.ambroglobal.com) which it developed in 2001. Its core product range comprises interior doors, panels and tables but Luminate® is also suitable for incorporation into other joinery and furniture applications. Corporate, residential, hospitality and retail/shop fit-outs all present significant sales opportunities. Individual completed projects have ranged in value from AUD$1,500 up to AUD$375,000. 
 
  
As the product is bespoke, i.e. made-to-order, this presents particular challenges in relation to distributor and agent training, support and project management. Lead times are critical, demanding close cooperation between all parties to avoid unnecessary delays across multiple time-zones. 
A national distributor supported by directly and indirectly appointed agents has been successfully appointed in the US. In Ireland, Associated Marketing's own architectural products division (AML Architectural Products) acts as Ambro's distributor and has established and manages a network of agents across Great Britain. In India, distributors have been appointed in New Delhi and Mumbai.