What We Do

International Expansion for Food & FMCG

Expand Your Food & FMCG Business Abroad—Strategically, Not Opportunistically

International growth is one of the greatest opportunities for food and FMCG manufacturers—yet most companies approach it by chance. A retailer request, a local contact, or a tempting acquisition often drives decisions. The result is wasted resources, compliance risks, and scattered efforts that fail to deliver sustainable growth.

We help manufacturers transform international expansion into a structured, fact-based process. Instead of chasing random opportunities, you’ll know exactly which markets to enter, how to position your products, and how to build a resilient operation abroad.

Common Struggles:

  • No structured export strategy

  • Misallocation of resources

  • Regulatory and compliance issues

  • Lack of reliable market insights

  • Supply chain complexities

  • Cultural and organizational misalignments

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The Solution:
Turning Expansion into a Strategic Advantage

Successful international growth is not about chasing opportunities—it’s about building a disciplined, adaptable system that allows your company to thrive abroad without losing control at home.

We help you:

  • Make fact-based decisions: Prioritize markets based on real data, not chance encounters or short-term pressures.

  • Master cross-border teamwork: Build intercultural leadership capabilities to prevent cultural rifts, one of the most underestimated risks in global business.

  • Adapt to local markets: Align products and strategies with local preferences while maintaining global efficiencies.

  • Grow with patience and persistence: Treat internationalization as a marathon—steady, structured, and sustainable.

  • Expand step by step: Gather knowledge, forge alliances, and stay flexible while keeping long-term goals in focus.

Along the way, the critical questions become clear:

  • Do we have the processes to handle the rising complexity of going abroad?

  • Are we resilient enough to withstand volatile markets and shifting regulations?

  • Do we have the cultural insight and agility to compete on foreign ground?

  • Is our team ready to manage real risks—unreliable partners, logistical hurdles, and fast-moving competitors?

With the right strategy, international expansion stops being a gamble and becomes a repeatable engine for growth.

The most successful global companies don’t just export products—they approach the new market with the same determination as they do their home base. They turn international management into a core capability, not a side project.

Industry Insight

Our Methodology

1. Diagnostic & Strategic Design

  • Conducting a comprehensive assessment of current export activities and internal capabilities.

  • Definition of clear export objectives aligned with overall corporate goals.

  • Compilation of a longlist of focus markets based on top-down market size and company objectives.

2. Data Collection & Strategic Target

  • Profound market, competitor and environment analysis of longlisted markets.

  • Prioritizing markets based on market size, strategic objectives,  regulatory complexity and supply chain feasibility.

  • Selection of top-priority markets and definition of targets and timelines.

3. Process Structuring & Resource Alignment

  • Development of customized internationalization processes by market encompassing market research, compliance checks, and resource deployment in alignment with company’s strategic goals.

  • Implementation of project management discipline to ensure efficient use of time and budgets.

4. Market Intelligence & Compliance Framework

  • Establishing ongoing market analysis mechanisms to adapt to changing trends.

  • Building or integration of compliance expertise and monitoring tools for international regulations.

5. Supply Chain Optimization

  • Mapping end-to-end supply chain for exports; identification of bottlenecks and cost drivers.

  • Introduction of improved logistics planning and supplier coordination.

6. Execution & Continuous Improvement

  • Rolling out of export initiatives with feedback loops.

  • Implementation of international management to master cultural insight and operational agility handling volatility of foreign markets and regulations.

  • Monitoring KPIs; adjusting strategy dynamically in response to market feedback and performance data.

Who is this for?

Small to mid-sized food and FMCG manufacturers (50–5,000 employees) who want to expand abroad in an orderly and strategic way—but struggle with:

  • Limited resources and experience

  • Lack of market knowledge and regulatory intelligence

  • Unclear prioritization of markets

  • Misalignment with company goals and internal processes

  • Finding the right partners and building efficient supply chains

Typical Motives:

  • Spread business risk

  • Find new sales or production markets

  • Acquire know-how abroad

  • Increase economies of scale and scope

  • Balance out lifecycles across regions

Why Work With Us

Tobias Görcke

PARTNER

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Meet Tobias

With 25 years of leadership experience across CPG, food manufacturing, and grocery retail, I help companies and individuals unlock their next level of success. My foundation: two decades in international executive roles, five years in business consulting, and a global network built on trust and performance.
 
I focus on three key areas: Business Consulting, Executive Search, and New Placement. Whether it’s expanding into new markets, strengthening sales and go-to-market strategies, or building outstanding leadership teams — I bring the vision, expertise, and drive to make it happen.
 
Analytical, entrepreneurial, and action-oriented, I turn challenges into opportunities and ambitions into reality. I work with businesses and executives who are ready to move forward — fast, focused, and with real impact.
 
If you’re ready to grow, transform, or take the next big step, I’m ready to help

Case Studies

U.S. Market Entry – Frozen Food Manufacturer

A European food manufacturer aimed to expand into the highly competitive U.S. market but lacked any local presence. The expansion required both market insight and operational setup from the ground up.

The project involved comprehensive market, competitive, and environmental analysis, followed by the creation of a U.S. subsidiary. Logistics and importation systems were built from scratch, including the implementation of SAP, while a local high-performing team was recruited and trained to ensure sustainable growth.

Results included:

  • $50M+ revenue achieved within 5 years, creating a solid foothold in the U.S. market.

  • Successful $435M acquisition of a U.S. manufacturer, accelerating growth and market presence.

This case demonstrates how a structured, data-driven approach enables successful entry into, and ascending over one of the world’s most demanding markets.

Halal Foods: Strategic Co-Packing and Product Launch in Malaysia

A Malaysian distributor sought a reliable European partner to source and scale Halal frozen food production. The challenge required both cultural sensitivity and rigorous compliance to ensure success in a growing but demanding market.

The project began with a full market, competitive, and environmental analysis, followed by a consumer survey to shape product development with features tailored to local tastes. The facility was successfully Halal-certified, supported by efficient production planning. End-to-end logistics were then established to guarantee cost-effective delivery and scalability.

Results included:

  • Swift implementation to become leading product range in its category, demonstrating rapid consumer acceptance.

  • Fully compliant and scalable production, ensuring both cultural and regulatory alignment.

This case highlights how structured planning and local adaptation drive fast, sustainable growth in international food markets.

European Manufacturer: Structured Expansion Eastward

A branded European manufacturer set its sights on Eastern Europe and Asia but faced the risk of fragmented, opportunistic growth. To succeed, the company needed a disciplined, scalable approach that balanced strategic focus with local adaptation.

The expansion began with a data-driven country prioritization, creating a clear roadmap for market entry. A tailored go-to-market strategy was developed, aligning brand positioning, product adaptation, and channel mix to local consumer expectations. Messaging, packaging, and pricing were refined to reflect cultural preferences, while strategic distribution partners were carefully identified and negotiated with. Structured sales processes were then implemented across more than twelve countries, ensuring consistency and measurable performance.

Results included:

  • Disciplined and sustainable market entry across high-growth regions.

  • Long-term scalability, supported by consistent branding and robust sales structures.

This case illustrates how a focused, evidence-based approach transforms international expansion into lasting success.

*Results from real industry implementations; company names are withheld due to NDAs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. We work with both first-time exporters and experienced companies. Whether you are planning your first international step or restructuring existing operations, our methodology adapts to your situation.

We use a fact-based, data-driven approach that combines market size, regulatory feasibility, supply chain realities, and your strategic objectives. This ensures decisions are objective, not opportunistic.

Uncertainty is always part of global business. Our role is to build resilience into your strategy—through compliance frameworks, adaptable supply chains, and cultural insight—so you can navigate volatility with confidence.

That’s exactly why our process includes resource alignment and project management. We help you identify gaps, structure responsibilities, and build the right external alliances so your team can focus on what they do best.

The diagnostic and strategy design phase usually takes 1–3 weeks. Market entry timelines vary depending on the complexity and number of target countries, but we always structure the process to generate measurable progress along the way.

Compliance is built into our methodology. We integrate regulatory checks and monitoring tools into every stage of the process, reducing the risk of costly mistakes or delays.

We conduct deep consumer and market research upfront to ensure adaptation where necessary—whether it’s product features, packaging, or pricing—while keeping your brand identity intact.

Most failed expansions are the result of opportunism, lack of preparation, or underestimating cultural and operational challenges. Our structured, step-by-step methodology is designed to avoid these pitfalls and create sustainable, long-term growth.

No. Our focus is on small to mid-sized food and FMCG manufacturers (50–5,000 employees) who want to expand with structure and focus, regardless of whether they have a global presence already.

It begins with a free consultation, where we review your current situation and ambitions. From there, we define the right diagnostic approach and outline a tailored roadmap for your international expansion.

Disclaimer

The consultants (B&P Partners) featured here operate as independent service providers. Brandt & Partners assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or quality of the content displayed, nor for any actions or outcomes resulting from services provided independently by these consultants.