How Pyroguard is approaching its international strategy with a rejuvenated focus, ambition and drive through Jose Zaman, Export Development Manager.
For over twenty years, Pyroguard has been operating successfully in their core markets of the UK, Benelux and France. As market share in those areas has increased, the question of how to expand to meet wider international demand has been answered with the appointment of Jose Zaman.
Jose came to Pyroguard with a plethora of experience in the glass and construction market. Upon taking the position, a global analysis of the fire glazing market identified Iberia and the Middle East as key target markets, with Switzerland, Poland and India also identified as focus territories.
Naturally, Pyroguard’s strategic approach to each country is locally tailored.
For example, the Middle East requires an overseas manufacturer to be registered via the Ministry of Economics, and sales to be conducted through a distributor. Jose is working with local agents to penetrate the markets in the other countries.
The benefits of working with agents are extensive. Agents provide up to date market information, making it easier for Pyroguard to ensure that the product complies with all relevant requirements. Agents identify and tackle local competitors head on, strengthening the connection between Pyroguard and the potential new customer. These agents report directly to Jose so he is up to date with the latest developments and ready to react accordingly.
As well as increased work with local experts, Pyroguard has also increased activity at global trade shows, exhibiting in Qatar, Paris and Mumbai. This activity is further helping to introduce the Pyroguard brand and quality product to potential customers globally.
Pyroguard has clearly gone to exceptional effort to expand beyond the current core territories the company operates in, an approach already seeing steady returns. For example, 400m2 of the Pyroguard T range was recently delivered to complete the partition walls for the 5 star luxury Vivante Taj Hotel in New Delhi, India. Commenting on this activity, Jose says “Pyroguard has seen great advancements in our international expansion programme in 2015 and we can confidently look forward to a prosperous 2016.”
For more information, go to www.pyroguard.eu
About Pyroguard
Pyroguard manufactures fire resistant glass to enable architects, specifiers and installers achieve their vision of safe and aesthetically beautiful living and working spaces.
With the strapline, “First in Fire Glass”, Pyroguard is Flexible to customer requirements, Independently owned, Responsive in terms of enquiries and lead times, has a Specific focus on the fire glass market and is Technical in terms of R&D and support.
Production facilities are located in Haydock, near Liverpool in the UK and in Seingbouse, near Forbach in the east of France, with direct sales teams across Europe and a dedicated export function.
The group has a highly developed R&D expertise and its own fire testing laboratory to continue to provide industry-leading fire glass solutions.
Top Image: The Oxford Academy is a £33 million flagship Academy project delivered by main contractor, Willmott Dixon. Commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council, the new educational facility is designed to accommodate up to 1,050 secondary students and approximately 400 sixth form pupils – including a 150-place specialist sports academy. Pyroguard EI30 INT Pyroguard EI60 INT – 60 m2 was used in the new facility
