/ Case Study

Altios Accelerates Metal 7’s Entry in India to 4X Sales

When Metal 7 looked to expand in India, the Canadian company sought Altios’ experience in the country. Metal 7 rapidly grew its leadership position and quadrupled sales in India.

Summary

Metal 7 Inc. is an equipment manufacturer for iron-ore pelletising plants and liquid-metal industries. Established in 1974, Metal 7 exports 75 per cent of its products in more than 20 countries. When Metal 7 looked to expand in India, the Canadian company sought Altios’ experience in the country. Metal 7 rapidly grew its leadership position and quadrupled sales in India.

Background

Metal 7 Inc. is an equipment manufacturer for iron-ore pelletising plants and liquid-metal industries. Headquartered in Sept-Îles, the company operates two manufacturing plants in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Established in 1974, Metal 7 employs 110 personnel in the region and exports 70 per cent of its production outside of the North American markets. Today, Metal 7 supplies more than 60 per cent of the world’s iron-ore pelletising plants.* What began as a novel way to use aerospace engineering to create proprietary products has since grown into a global company, serving customers in 20 countries on four continents.

Challenge

During the last 20 years, the company has focused on innovation and market leadership through its expertise and gained knowledge in engineering, R&D, and industrial processes. Equally important to the company’s growth is its focus on international markets. “We see our future on a worldwide scale,” said Marc-André Gervais, President and CEO of Metal 7 Inc. “When our sister companies asked us to go global, we invited them here to see our plants. As they liked what they saw, we followed that opportunity.” Metal 7 saw India as key to its strategic mission of geographic expansion in high-growth markets. Viewed as one of the world’s fastest-growing technology and innovation markets, Metal 7 felt entry into the Indian market was a pivotal step to further their global expansion.

Solution

“We were looking for someone to help us,” said Mr. Gervais. As India was a new market for Metal 7, they faced common barriers of entry: knowledge of the country, its industries, and on-the-ground experience. “We knew we needed a partner who could accompany us every step of the way so we could advantageously enter the market,” said Gervais. Altios’ knowledge and experience in India proved to be the ideal partner for Metal 7.

Result

As a global advisory firm, Altois understood the dynamics of entering a new region, including its local industries, customers, key players, and decision-makers.

Altios’ in-market experience bridged the gap between Metal 7 and its entry to India. “They understood the Indian market and supported us every step of the way,” said Mr. Gervais.
“Not only did they know the geography of the region, Altios understood our products. They were extremely agile and flexible when it came to adapting to our needs,” continued Gervais.
Metal 7’s successful entry in India has enabled the company to achieve its mission of global expansion in a high-growth market.

* Excluding China

“We are now the leader in our field in India. Sales have quadrupled in the country, and we are continuing our core values of geographic expansion and acquisition.

Marc-André Gervais

President and CEO, Metal 7 Inc.

Metal 7 Inc.

Metal 7 Inc. is an equipment manufacturer for iron-ore pelletising plants and liquid-metal industries. Established in 1974, Metal 7 exports 75 per cent of its products to more than 20 countries. The company supplies to more than 60 per cent of the world’s iron-ore pelletising plants.*

Challenge

Metal 7 saw India as key to its strategic mission of geographic expansion in high-growth markets.

Knowledge of the industries and on-the-ground experience were critical to Metal 7.

Solution

Altios’ knowledge and experience in India provided Metal 7’s products an accelerated expansion in India.

Result

Metal 7 quickly gained a market leadership position in India and ultimately quadrupled its sales in the region.

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