MP and the Value of Internationalisation.

INTRODUCtIoN

MP’s aim is to grow and become the “Driving Company” in Andalusia.

The motors for achieving this objective are innovation, internationalisation, and the pursuit of excellence in management. These have been MP’s values from the start.

Internationalisation promotes growth, for two reasons: because the size of a company depends on the size of the market it works in, and as a result of the beneficial effects of the two-way flow of knowledge, both technological and in the field of management. Thus growth, strategy and structure must evolve in parallel, and incorporate greater customer orientation.  A mind-set which both allows and commits the company to taking on new innovative capacities is also vital.

This reasoning is even more relevant in the present times. However, unfortunately, Internationalisation is a value that cannot be improvised - it must form part of the culture of a company or not.

MP’s INTERNATIONALISATION PROCESS

  • First Period. Beginnings.1991-94.Strategic positioning not sufficiently mature. Objective to grow the volume of international business. Exports..
    • Sales Status 3M€ in 91 - 5M€ in 94.
    • Exports +- 20%.
    • Resources available. Commercial assistance from local offices or the headquarters.

  • Second Period. Expansion. 1995-98. Clear industrial positioning based on Components and Complete Lifts. District Office Model (Technical-Commercial Offices). Subsidiary Model.
    • Sales Status 20M€ in 95 - 35M€ in 98.
    • Exports +- 35%.
    • Resources available. Subsidiaries 300 thousand €/year.
  • Third Period. Technological improvements. 1999-2002. Emergence of negative results from the Subsidiaries. Adjustments Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Germany.
    • Sales Status 49.2M€ in 99 – 64.1M€ in 02.
    • Exports +- 40%.
    • Cost of opening inefficient subsidiaries 5 M€.
  • Fourth Period. Consolidation. 2003-2006. Industrial Expansion. District Office Model (with exceptions). Strategic change, to vertical business integration.
    • Sales Status 72.3M€ in 03 - 110M€ in 06.
    • Exports +- 60%.
    • Generating sales in the fourth month. Profitable from the first year. 
 

PRESENT STATUS

While it is true that there is some imbalance in the international presence of MP’s Divisions, it is also true that they all have an international vocation. Water treatment plants and mechanical components…

MP’s Elevation Division’s commitment to expanding internationally is demonstrated by the export figures of 74 % of private label products and 58% of total consolidated sales. These figures position this division as one the most international Spanish companies in the materials manufacture and installation sector. The two aspects of our international network complement each other, being vertically integrated: 

 
Within the lift installation and maintenance activity, three geographical areas have been created:  France, Benelux and Central Europe. The objective is to achieve closer alignment with the requirements of each country, region or province, and thus be able to work more closely with our clients. Commercial, technical and organisational support is provided from our Technical Commercial Offices in Paris, Ammersfort and Vienna. MP’s service network is made up of more than 15 Installation and Maintenance companies, in 8 European countries.

In the activity of distributing lifts and components, MP has been working for more than 30 years with independent lift installation companies throughout the world, helping them to grow. With its more than 20 Technical Commercial Offices abroad, MP reinforces its position as a leading manufacturer that provides lift companies with complete elevation solutions. Internationally, SMEs are experiencing increasing difficulties, but MP's message, with its product and service proposal, complements this sector, helping businessmen with their business plans.

As a result of this global mentality, MP sold 58% of its lifts to the overseas markets:  38% in Europe, 9% in the Middle East and North Africa, 7% in Central and South America and 4% in Asia. Our worldwide references include: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, the City of Justice in Nicosia, Cyprus, Colonial Resort in Noosa Header, Australia, the City Hall in Vienna, Austria, the Offices of the President’s Chief of Staff, Mexico, the President’s Headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, Presidential Building in Nigeria, the Headquarters of Algerian Justice in Algiers, Algeria, the Jishultan Hospital in Beijing, China, the  San Ignacio de Loyola University in Peru, the Tuscinnski Theatre in Amsterdam, Holland, the Pormorska Library in Poland, Bran Football Club’s New Stadium in Bergen, Norway, the Country may Ethias Liege, Belgium, the Hotel Haushahan in Vienna,  Austria,  Cabinda Airport in Angola, Mexico Airport, the  Brasilia Shopping Centre in Oporto, Portugal, and Dillard’s Supermarket Las Vegas, USA. 

The division of Engineering, Services and Environment has made great efforts in internationalisation during the last year. These have started to give results, and the first Water Treatment Plants have been sold in Venezuela. Tenders are being presented in other South American countries such as Columbia, Peru and the Dominican Republic as well as in Eastern Europe, especially in Poland where our own evaporation technology (Biodestil) for treating landfill site leachates is winning wide acceptance from the various Public Administration organisms.