KC Recycling has been on the forefront of battery recycling since its inception in 1977. Founded in Trail B.C., the family-owned company is the largest lead acid battery recycling company in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. KC Recycling provides sustainable recycling and resource recovery solutions to lead smelters, battery producers, injection molders and plastic compounders. The company is committed to environmental responsibility and innovation throughout its operations — from its advanced battery processing system to its closed-loop plastics recycling.
Two years ago, KC Recycling set out to reduce the risk of relying on a concentrated customer base by expanding into international markets.
They saw growing demand for lead and plastic products overseas and decided to pursue those opportunities through exports. That strategic shift has proven to be a good one with KC Recycling seeing a $5 million jump in export revenue in just two years.
“Our goal was to reduce the risks that come from depending on similar customers in just a few places,” explains Robert Bleier, director of finance and business development at KC. “Export Navigator helped us steer our way through the many export challenges that came with entering new markets and diversifying our client base.”
Charting a new course
KC Recycling saw the opportunity that overseas markets could offer but needed guidance to develop and execute their export growth strategy.
They had three key hurdles to overcome:
- Identifying and connecting with new customers
- Understanding and managing international logistics
- Managing complex export regulations
That’s where Export Navigator came in. With expert advice and tailored support, Export Advisor Michael Hoher helped KC Recycling refine their strategy, overcome barriers and make the right connections.
Michael introduced KC Recycling with trade teams in Korea and Japan, opening doors to new business relationships that have generated significant ongoing revenue.
“Export Navigator has helped us build relationships in new markets that continue to grow and evolve,” Robert explains. “To date, we have earned over $5 million in export revenue and increased our production by 25 per cent as a result.”
Getting ahead
KC Recycling is a great example of how an export strategy can reduce business risk while unlocking new growth.
“Using Export Navigator as part of a broader export strategy can really assist in building trust and establishing networks in new markets,” acknowledges Robert. “It can’t be the only thing you do, but it is a foundational part of entering a new market—in particular markets outside of North America.”