Food Processing and Packaging Equipment in Ecuador: A Strategic Reference, 2006
ICON Group International, July 2007, Pages: 219
How to Strategically Evaluate Ecuador
Perhaps the most efficient way of evaluating Ecuador is to consider key dimensions which themselves are composites of multiple factors. Composite portfolio approaches have long been used by strategic planners. The biggest challenge in this approach is to choose the appropriate factors that are the most relevant to international planning. The two measures of greatest relevance to food processing and packaging equipment are “latent demand” and “market accessibility”. The figure below summarizes the key dimensions and recommendations of such an approach. Using these two composites, one can prioritize all countries of the world. Countries of high latent demand and high relative accessibility (e.g. easier entry for one firm compared to other firms) are given highest priority. The figure below shows two different scenarios. Accessibility is defined as a firm’s ease of entering or supplying from or to a market (the “supply side”), and latent demand is an indicator of the potential in serving from or to the market (the “demand side”).
Framework for Prioritizing Countries
Demand/Market Potential Driven Firm
Relative Accessibility
Accessibility/Supply Averse Firm
In the top figure, the firm is driven by market potential, whereas the bottom figure represents a firm that is driven by costs or by an aversion to difficult markets. This report treats the reader as coming from a “generic firm” approaching the global market - neither a market-driven nor a cost-driven company. Planners must therefore augment this report with their own company-specific factors that might change the priorities (e.g. a Canadian firm may have higher accessibility in Canada than a German firm).
Latent Demand and Accessibility in Ecuador
This report provides a detailed overview of factors driving latent demand and accessibility for food processing and packaging equipment in Ecuador. Latent demand is largely driven by economic fundamentals specific to food processing and packaging equipment. This topic is discussed in Chapter 2 using work carried out in Ecuador on behalf of American firms and authored by the United States government (typically commercial attachés or similar persons in local offices of the U.S. Department of State). I have included a number of edits to clarify the information provided. Latent demand only represents half of the picture. Chapter 2 also deals with micro-accessibility for food processing and packaging equipment in Ecuador. I use the term “micro” since the discussion is focused specifically on food processing and packaging equipment.
Chapter 3 is also a stand-alone report that I have authored. It covers proxy pro-forma financial indicators of firms operating in Ecuador. I use the word “proxy” because the provided figures only cover a “what if” scenario, based on actual operating results for firms in Ecuador. The numbers are only indicative of an average firm whose primary activity is in Ecuador. It covers a vertical analysis of the maximum likelihood balance sheet, income statement, and financial ratios of firms operating in Ecuador. It does so for a particular Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. That code covers “food products machinery”, as defined in Chapter 3. Again, while “food products machinery” does not exactly equate to “food processing and packaging equipment”, it nevertheless gives an indicator of how Ecuador compares to other countries for a proxy adjacent category along various dimensions.
Chapter 4 deals with macro-accessibility and covers factors that go beyond food processing and packaging equipment. A country may at first sight appear to be attractive due to a high latent demand, but it is often less attractive when one considers at the macro level how easy it might be to serve that entire potential and/or general business risks. While accessibility will always vary from one company to another for a given country, the following domains are typically considered when evaluating macro-accessibility in Ecuador:
Openness to Trade in Ecuador
Openness to Direct Investment in Ecuador
Local Marketing and Entry Strategy Alternatives
Local Human Resources
Local Risks
Across these domains, a number of not-so-obvious factors can affect accessibility and risk. These are covered in the Chapter 4, which is a general overview of investment and business conditions in Ecuador. Chapter 4 is also presented from the perspective of an American firm, though is equally applicable to most firms entering Ecuador. This chapter is also authored by local offices of the U.S. government, as is Chapter 2. Likewise, I have included a number of edits to clarify the provided information as it relates to the general strategic framework mentioned earlier.
1 INTRODUCTION & METHODOLOGY 1
1.1 What Does This Report Cover? 1
1.2 How to Strategically Evaluate Ecuador 1
1.3 Latent Demand and Accessibility in Ecuador 3
2 FOOD PROCESSING AND PACKAGING EQUIPMENT IN ECUADOR 5
2.1 Latent Demand and Accessibility: Background 5
2.2 Latent Demand: Market Composition 5
2.3 Market Data 6
2.4 Latent Demand: Leading Segments 8
2.5 Key Suppliers 8
2.5.1 Domestic Manufactures 9
2.5.2 U.S. Suppliers 9
2.5.3 Foreign Suppliers 10
2.6 Prospective Buyers 10
2.7 Accessibility: Market Entry 11
2.8 Market Issues 12
2.9 Key Contacts 12
3 FINANCIAL INDICATORS: FOOD PRODUCTS MACHINERY 13
3.1 Overview 13
3.1.1 Financial Returns and Gaps in Ecuador 14
3.1.2 Labor Productivity Gaps in Ecuador 16
3.1.3 Limitations and Extensions 17
3.2 Financial Returns in Ecuador: Asset Structure Ratios 18
3.2.1 Overview 18
3.2.2 Assets - Definitions of Terms 18
3.2.3 Asset Structure: Outlook 20
3.2.4 Large Variances: Assets 21
3.2.5 Key Percentiles and Rankings 24
3.3 Financial Returns in Ecuador: Liability Structure Ratios 39
3.3.1 Overview 39
3.3.2 Liabilities and Equity - Definitions of Terms 39
3.3.3 Liability Structure: Outlook 41
3.3.4 Large Variances: Liabilities 42
3.3.5 Key Percentiles and Rankings 45
3.4 Financial Returns in Ecuador: Income Structure Ratios 58
3.4.1 Overview 58
3.4.2 Income Statements - Definitions of Terms 58
3.4.3 Income Structure: Outlook 60
3.4.4 Large Variances: Income 61
3.4.5 Key Percentiles and Rankings 64
3.5 Financial Returns in Ecuador: Profitability Ratios 77
3.5.1 Overview 77
3.5.2 Ratios - Definitions of Terms 77
3.5.3 Ratio Structure: Outlook 79
3.5.4 Large Variances: Ratios 80
3.5.5 Key Percentiles and Rankings 83
3.6 Productivity in Ecuador: Asset-Labor Ratios 98
3.6.1 Overview 98
3.6.2 Asset to Labor: Outlook 98
3.6.3 Asset to Labor: International Gaps 99
3.6.4 Key Percentiles and Rankings 102
3.7 Productivity in Ecuador: Liability-Labor Ratios 117
3.7.1 Overview 117
3.7.2 Liability to Labor: Outlook 117
3.7.3 Liability and Equity to Labor: International Gaps 118
3.7.4 Key Percentiles and Rankings 121
3.8 Productivity in Ecuador: Income-Labor Ratios 134
3.8.1 Overview 134
3.8.2 Income to Labor: Outlook 134
3.8.3 Income to Labor: Gaps 135
3.8.4 Key Percentiles and Rankings 138
4 MACRO-ACCESSIBILITY IN ECUADOR 151
4.1 Executive Summary 151
4.2 Economic Fundamentals and Dynamics 152
4.2.1 Government Intervention Risks 152
4.2.2 Industrial Policy 152
4.2.3 Infrastructure Development 153
4.3 Political Risks 154
4.3.1 Economic Relationship with the United States 154
4.3.2 The Political System 155
4.4 Marketing Strategies 156
4.4.1 Distribution Channel Options 156
4.4.2 Distribution Channel Options 157
4.4.3 Agents and Distributors 157
4.4.4 Franchising Activities 157
4.4.5 Direct Marketing Options 158
4.4.6 Joint Ventures and Licensing Options 158
4.4.7 Creating a Sales Office 159
4.4.8 Selling Strategies 160
4.4.9 Advertising Options 160
4.4.10 Pricing Issues 160
4.4.11 Public Sector Marketing 161
4.4.12 Intellectual Property Risks 161
4.4.13 Hiring Local Counsel 162
4.5 Import and Export Regulation Risks 162
4.5.1 Adherence to Free Trade Agreements 162
4.5.2 Trade Barrier Risks 162
4.5.3 Restrictions on Imports 163
4.5.4 Controls on Exports 163
4.5.5 Import Tariffs and License Requirements 164
4.5.6 Licenses Required for Imports 164
4.5.7 Customs Regulations and Contact Information 165
4.5.8 Entering Temporary Imports 165
4.5.9 Additional Trade Issues 166
4.5.10 Government Procurement 167
4.5.11 Local Standards 167
4.5.12 Warranty and Non-Warranty Repairs 168
4.5.13 Free Trade Zone Options 168
4.6 Investment Climate 168
4.6.1 Openness to Foreign Investment 168
4.6.2 Conversion and Transfer Policies 170
4.6.3 Expropriation and Compensation 170
4.6.4 Dispute Settlement 170
4.6.5 Performance Requirements and Incentives 171
4.6.6 Right to Private Ownership and Establishment 171
4.6.7 Protection of Property Rights 172
4.6.8 Transparency of the Regulatory System 173
4.6.9 Capital Market Risks 173
4.6.10 Political Violence 173
4.6.11 Corruption 174
4.6.12 Bilateral Investment Agreements 174
4.6.13 OPIC and Other Investment Insurance 174
4.6.14 Labor 174
4.6.15 Free Trade Zones and Free Ports 175
4.7 Trade and Project Financing 175
4.7.1 The Banking System 175
4.7.2 Foreign Exchange Control Risks 176
4.7.3 General Financing Availability 176
4.7.4 Types of Available Export Financing and Insurance 177
4.7.5 Financing Export Strategies 177
4.7.6 Multilateral Financing 177
4.7.7 Banks with Correspondent Banking Arrangements 179
4.8 Travel Risks 179
4.8.1 Local Business Practices 179
4.8.2 Travel Issues 179
4.8.3 Country Data 184
4.9 Key Contacts 185
4.9.1 Ecuadorian Government Contacts 185
4.9.2 Chambers of Commerce 190
4.9.3 Trade and Industry Associations 196
4.9.4 Auditing and Consulting Firms 198
4.9.5 Credit Report Firms 199
4.9.6 Commercial Banks 199
4.9.7 Multilateral Financing 200
4.9.8 U.s. Embassy Trade Personnel 200
4.9.9 Contacts in Washington D.C. 201
4.9.10 U.S.-Based Ecuadorian Contacts 202
4.9.11 U.S.-Based Multipliers 203
4.9.12 Advertising Agencies 204
4.9.13 Business Journals 205
4.9.14 Newspapers 205
4.9.15 Key Agricultural Business Contacts 206
5 DISCLAIMERS, WARRANTEES, AND USER AGREEMENT PROVISIONS 210
5.1 Disclaimers & Safe Harbor 210
5.2 Icon Group International, Inc. User Agreement Provisions 211
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