Client: Carlos Turcios,
International Sales Manager

Address: Buncher Commerce Park
Avenue C, Building 20-A
Leetsdale, PA 15056

County   Allegheny

Website: www.hormann-flexon.com

Industry: Industrial and Commercial Doors

Year Founded: 1979

SBDC Assistance: Export Consulting and research on International Commercial Terms, and Intl distributors. Courses attended: Export Basics.

Additional Partners: PA-DCED.

On September 23, 2007, the Hörmann Group acquired the business operations of Flexon, Inc. Hörmann is the largest manufacturer of residential and commercial doors and openers as well as loading dock equipment outside the United States and is known as a worldwide leader in door safety and technology. The company was renamed Hörmann Flexon LLC, while manufacturing continues in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, with the ability to provide dealers and customers with a broader range of products.

Hörmann Flexon specializes in manufacturing high performance doors. Products include: high speed, high performance roll-up doors, impact doors, and loading dock equipment, as well as insect control barrier screen doors. These products are ideal for applications in industrial and commercial facilities such as warehouses, food processing and storage facilities, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers. All of the control boxes supplied with the high performance doors, now come programmed in five languages: Spanish, English, French, German and Portuguese.  This is another clear example of Hörmann Flexon’s commitment to international business.

With the bulk of their business coming from domestic sales, the company is working to expand sales and dealer opportunities in Latin America, including Mexico and Argentina and other countries there. 

In addition, Hörmann Flexon is investing in updating their production facility, and they have created a show room where dealers can come for product training and customers can come to see the products in action.

Hörmann Flexon’s export activities were active but they wanted to expand into new markets. They needed clear information about how to export and the steps to do that in compliance with U.S. export regulations. Insight into how to create a smooth, international logistical operation, that would minimize their time so they could focus on developing new customers and projects, was also required.

Assistance

Carlos Turcios, International Sales Manager, approached the Global Business Program at the Duquesne University SBDC expressing a need to increase export sales. Specifically, he asked for information on the food industry in Mexico, and a research on Chile and Peru. He wanted to see ways to improve his entry strategies.  Carlos also attended some training seminars at the SBDC and received SBDC consulting time regarding how to enhance and increase export sales.

Results 

As a result of the information and contacts given to Hörmann Flexon, and market research on Mexico, Chile and Peru, export sales gained momentum in 2008, and the company projects export sales will grow approximately 5% by the end of 2009.

If you would like more information on how the Duquesne University SBDC can assist you with your business, please contact us by: form, phone 412.396.6233, or email duqsbdc@duq.edu