Relocated manufacturer of health products receives USAID ERA-facilitated consultation to market their new product line  

26 May 2023

The Globus Research and Production Company received free “Quick Start” consultation from the NGO Podil Regional Development Agency, under the Economic Development Bridges initiative, which was set up with assistance from the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA). Experts from the NGO Podil Regional Development Agency are providing these consultations to entrepreneurs such as Globus, who have relocated their businesses to Vinnytsia, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Cherkasy oblasts following Russia’s invasion.

Globus is a manufacturer of products made from natural ingredients for livestock, as well as products for human health and hygiene. Last year, the company relocated its business from Kharkiv to Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Vinnytsia Oblast. In fact, they had partially moved to Vinnytsia region in 2014, and then relocated their production facilities completely following the full-scale invasion.

The company’s current focus areas are the production of hygiene and health products, agribusiness, and fertilizer production. However, the main product they offer now is an absorbent, which is useful if you can’t wash your feet or socks, and prevents hyperhidrosis, bedsores, and fungus infection. According to company representatives, this product is the best in Ukraine.

“After relocating the business, our company faced problems with product promotion, in particular, the “Sushkar” product, an absorbent for use inside shoes that prevents foot diseases. An expert helped us find a solution to the problem as part of the “Quick Start” free consultations,” says Yana Yanenko, the company’s commercial director.

During one of the consultations, marketing, promotion, and Social Media Marketing expert, Oleh Horobets, reviewed the company’s current promotion and sales plans and activities and found that the main obstacle to successful sales was the absence of “Sushkar” on the list of public procurement goods, and the fact that potential buyers were not aware of its existence at all.
Horobets advised focusing on organizations with a medical specialization and holding meetings, presenting the product, and showing the experience of using it in specific cases. He also advised media promotions highlighting the effectiveness of this domestic product in preventing foot diseases.

The company has already begun to implement these recommendations and held several presentations with pharmacies and hospitals, and has since received some preliminary agreements from these potential clients to order the product.

Background: The Economic Development Bridges initiative, supported by ERA, has been running since December 2022. It provides advice to relocated businesses on marketing, legal issues, accounting services, restoring sales and supply chains, grant opportunities, human resources management, recruiting, finding premises and locations, promotion, marketing, and social media marketing. So far, 42 entrepreneurs have already received consultations.