Vested Metals supplies aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, bronze, and various other types of metals and alloys in hard to find grades, sizes, and quantities. The major markets that Vested Metals supplies are the medical, aerospace/defense, industrial machinery and infrastructure, energy, and transportation industries.
The company has gained a variety of accolades within the last year. This year they were listed in the 2019 Inc. 5000 List as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies, and they also placed 7th on the Jacksonville Business Journal’s “Fast 50” list of fastest growing companies in the region. Viv Helwig, the owner and president of Vested Metals, is no stranger to the global supply chain. Sourcing a variety of metals from both domestic and foreign suppliers, Vested Metals has been involved in the world of international business since its founding in 2014.
However, it wasn’t until earlier this year that the company made a strategic decision to begin exporting their products to interested clients in other countries. To begin this process Vested Metals enlisted the assistance of the Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida. Helwig reached out to Julia Montgomery, an FSBDC at UNF International Trade Specialist, to discuss the company’s experience and their ideas for market expansion.
Montgomery worked with Helwig and Vested Metals supply chain analyst, Santiago Lopez Ureta, to develop an International Market Study. This report provided a starting point for Vested Metals, by conducting a data-driven analysis of potential export markets, and ultimately providing country-specific recommendations and suggestions for moving forward. Since receiving the study, the Vested Metals team has assertively put the recommendations into action and has already begun fulfilling orders in two export markets, with more planned for 2020.
“I could immediately tell that this was a client that has the right mindset for international business” Montgomery says of Helwig and his team. “They are open-minded, ask questions, and they respond energetically to recommendations – even if it means more work for them.” Montgomery continues to assist Vested Metals as they progress with their export strategy, providing insights into potential leads, compliance advice, and foreign business customs.
Of the Florida SBDC, Helwig says: “Going to the SBDC has really helped us kick off a new phase of growth for our company. We knew we wanted to take the company international, but we didn’t know where to start – the research provided by the SBDC and the continued guidance has really kept us motivated and on-track. We’re looking forward to a continued relationship with the SBDC and we would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to expand their business.”
