Our Services
We import, distribute, manage brands, and handle everything in between. Although our various services may be retained as stand-alone, we are typically not engaged a-la-cart, unless your products are already being sold in the Canadian market. It’s a complete business partnership rather than just a transaction-based relationship. We deploy a professional sales force across Canada with a solid reputation and the necessary knowledge to navigate the market, get your product into Canada, in front of retail buyers and on to store shelves.
We are your boots on the ground. We are the closest thing possible to your own Canadian division.
Our Process
MARKET CONSULTING
No matter which market you are entering, you will face new challenges in each and not knowing the market and its nuances can be daunting. We are here every step of the way from inception to market success! Learn More.
IMPORTING
Customs clearing through the Canadian border can be challenges on a good day. Having dealt with these difficulties for the last 10 years, we have developed a great team of service partners that make the process seem too easy. Learn More.
DISTRIBUTION
We handle all aspects of brand/retailer interactions so you don’t have to. Your products, delivered where they need to be, on time, while ensuring invoices are issued and payments are collected. Learn More.
BRAND MANAGEMENT
Whether your brand is new or established, just entering the market or already listed, it needs to be actively managed by local Canadian reps to gain market acceptance or to maintain and grow its market position. Learn More.
Studying the local market so you don’t have to.
MARKET CONSULTING
We are here every step of the way from inception to market success! No matter which market you are entering, you will face new challenges in each and not knowing the market and its nuances can be daunting. There is a lot of up front work required even after identifying the opportunity. At Malahat Mountain Distributors we have gained extensive experience in the Canadian market with various products. We help brands understand the wholesale and retail landscape, the competitive environment, as well as the tools required to succeed here. We conduct a thorough competitive analysis, including channel evaluation and the identification of ideal target accounts. We must establish your “point of difference” compared to what is currently available:
- Is your standard of production higher?
- Are your ingredients cleaner, more natural or higher quality?
- Does your product offer environmental benefits?
- Is there a need for your product?
- Will it be competitively priced after taking currency fluctuations into account?
- Does your product outperform in taste or performance?
From these analysis and market studies, we work directly with each principal, to develop a strategic go-to market plan that is unique to the product and the category you are trying to penetrate. We work with regulatory bodies to ensure that your product packaging is compliant, including meeting bilingual requirement, claims and ingredients conditions as well as all federal and provincial requirements. We will identify specific accounts in the various channels as well as the estimated costs to launch and gain distribution. We will introduce your brand to the category buyer and oversee all negotiations to have your product listed. Consider us your partners to develop the market for your product in Canada; essentially we are your boots on the ground.
Getting through the border smoothly.
IMPORTING
Customs clearing regulated products through the U.S. and Canadian border can be challenging if you do not know how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) interact with each other. Horror stories are far too common.
Shipments of FDA and CFIA regulated goods cross the border and get delivered to consignees daily. But just because a shipment gets delivered does not mean it has been released by FDA and CFIA. Having dealt with these challenges for the last 10 years we have developed a great team of professional and service partners that make the process seem too easy. We complete all require documents, collect the necessary certificates, ensure all declaration and commercial invoices are supplied to the right places at the right time to give you a piece of mind.
We have established Government of Canada tax accounts and established credit to cover the necessary tariffs and Canadian taxes levied at the time of crossing to ensure your product crosses without delays. If issues arise and a random inspection is required we work with our warehouse partners and CFIA inspectors to ensure your product gets released as quickly as possible.
Where the rubber meets the road, and your products hit the shelves.
DISTRIBUTION
This is where the rubber meets the road. Malahat Mountain handles all aspects of brand/retailer interactions so you don’t have to. We handle as aspects of actually getting your product from the warehouse to the customer store or their DC (distribution centre) and our administrative arm ensures invoices are issued and payment is collected without anything falling between the cracks. Our services include:
- managing inventory levels in Canadian warehouses
- receiving and processing PO’s
- arranging deliveries, either on our own trucks or through distributing partners
- booking delivery appointments
- ensuring delivery trucks arrive on schedule
- ensure the product arrives in perfect condition
- issuing invoices and collect payments
- managing advertising and promotional budgets
- managing retailer damage claims and handling any other issues
We meet all the major retail partner business process requirements which include registration with GS1 Canada, and utilize EDI for secure document handling.
Getting your brand and products noticed.
BRAND MANAGEMENT
Whether your brand is new or established, just entering the market or already listed, it needs to be actively managed by local Canadian representatives to gain market acceptance or to maintain and grow its market position. Retail category managers are far too busy and it is very easy for them to forget or marginalize a brand if it is not kept top of mind. We have local representatives in all the major metropolitan centers: Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Toronto and Montreal, who will work intimately with your brand and fight for you with the category managers to maintain their support and keep the shelf presence your brand deserves.
In the onset, we:
- gain listings with retail partners
- ensure speed to shelf
- advise on schematic placement where appropriate
- develop in-store promotional activity with retail partner
- ensure your products are merchandised and priced correctly through store audits
- ensure in-store promo activity is executed as planned
- track trade investment
Ongoing, we:
- manage trade spend and promotional calendars
- perform sales forecast to help with production management
- develop and maximize promotional plans
- execute promotional activity both in-store and direct to consumer
- assist in marketing to improve brand awareness
- utilize social media to improve customer engagement
We will keep you up to date on all progress including, sales, distribution penetration, listing progress and promotional activity. We work together as partners, measure results and adjust tactics where and when necessary to ensure long-term market success and growth. Because we will treat your brand as if it was our own, you can rest assured as we guarantee your brand will be looked after professionally and personally.