Shipbuilding is an industry unlike any other. Its complexity, scale and regulations demand purpose-built solutions, not standard tools. For over 35 years, SSI has delivered shipbuilding software, services and expertise for shipyards worldwide. Today, from its headquarters in Victoria, B.C. — and now a new European office — SSI is accelerating their global growth with help from Export Navigator.

Making Connections

SSI first learned about Export Navigator through another participating company and began working with Export Advisor, Jason Seed.

From day one, Seed acted as a connector and quickly became a trusted advisor, linking SSI with the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), expert consultants and potential partner firms. He also flagged possible financial supports and helped ensure the company’s program applications were as strong as possible.

“With Jason’s help we have been able to take part in the CanExport program, a National Research Council project, and built productive relationships with Canada’s Trade Commissioners,” says Greg Goulanian, Head of Marketing at SSI. “He also educated us about Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy and how it could benefit us.”

Expansion Abroad

Although SSI has a long history with international customers, they wanted to formalize their approach to European expansion and ensure their strategy accounted for all available opportunities. Working with Export Navigator put SSI in a much better position to do so. The team gained visibility into programs they hadn’t previously known about, and through TCS, secured introductions to the right decision-makers in key markets.

“Together, these initiatives have brought a step change to our market research, contacts within the market and overall go-to-market plan. We estimate that we are months ahead of where we would be without Export Navigator,” credits Goulanian.

Opening Offices and Doors

Thanks to growing export sales, SSI was able to open its newest subsidiary firm – SSI EMEA – in the Netherlands last November to serve Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The new office deepens SSI’s ability to support business transformation across this region’s shipbuilding industry with software and on-the-ground expertise.

“We expect our client base in the region to ramp up significantly in the medium-term as the results of our initial market entry start to bear fruit,” reports Goulanian.

Make the Move

“It has been a pleasure working with Jason,” states Goulanian. “He is extremely knowledgeable, and he has gone above and beyond in supporting us on our next phase of global expansion.”

For SSI, Export Navigator has delivered both strategy and execution. Seed helped the company understand which doors to knock on and then opened them, so the SSI team could focus on doing what they do best: equipping shipbuilders with solutions designed for the realities of their industry.

“I would recommend joining Export Navigator sooner than you think,” adds Goulanian. The available resources and advice helped us put together an export strategy and then execute it successfully.”