Successful Business Partner Search in Germany

Five natural science students from Graz are pursuing the goal of increasing the natural growth process of plants – while protecting the environment.

In their Kapfenstein-based company Saphium Biotechnology GmbH, they developed a special technique by which agricultural seeds undergo a special coating process, demonstrably increasing seed yield by up to 30%.

The process is carried out by applying bacteria (rhizobia and bradyrhizobia), which cause nitrogen fixation from the air, leading to better nutrient supply for the plants. Additionally, the soil quality is improved through a symbiotic effect.

The bacteria are cultivated and processed in their own laboratory on the family’s winery. This ensures that these bacteria can survive and thrive in our soils.

Successful Business Partner Search

With the help of ICS, the Kapfenberg-based company successfully created a business partner search profile, as the firm aimed to expand its domestic market. As a new exporter, Mr. Winkler-Hermaden was interested in finding business partners in neighboring countries who would be willing to use his seed coatings to achieve higher crop yields.

The company eventually found an agricultural dealer in Germany as a new business partner, who purchased Saphium Biotechnology seed coatings for soybeans, lupins, and faba bean plants.

“Through ICS, we have already found our first export customers and look forward to further cooperation to find customers throughout Central Europe.”

Christof Winkler-Hermaden, CEO Saphium Biotechnology GmbH

Consulting Initiative for New Exporters

ICS offers comprehensive consulting services to new Styrian exporters, which include presenting the ICS service portfolio and addressing individual business partner matchmaking.

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – the European office of ICS – specializes, among other things, in offering individual assistance with business partner searches. For this, a profile is completed together with the company, which includes a precise company description and concrete ideas for a future business partner. By publishing this profile, it eventually reaches countless other EEN branches throughout Europe, which in turn can enable further dissemination.

Saphium Biotechnology has already utilized the following ICS services:

  • 2019 ICS New Exporter Consultation including the submission of an EXPEDIRE cooperation request

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