By 510009196
Introduction of the Company :
SIAM Canadian Foods, founded and managed by Jim Gulkin, is a Bangkok-based Canadian-owned company that has been involved in the seafood brokerage business for almost 10 years. It was started in April 1987 after Canadian Jim Gulkin quit his job in the oil industry and invested his life saving of Cdn$130,000 in the business. When first starting out , Gulkin was total inexperienced in the food brokering business.
SC’s role as a food broker was to indentify overseas customers, usually food importers, and negotiate sales with them on behalf of food processors in Thailand. Siam deals with an extensive assortment of frozen, canned, and dehydrated products that include: frozen seafood, frozen poultry, canned and frozen fruit, canned and frozen vegetables, dehydrated fruit, and, lastly, juice concentrates. The company was founded in April, 1987 and first achieved profitability in 1991, and has continued to be profitable ever since. That same year Jim Gulkin’s exporting operations have expanded to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. In 1991, Gulkin opened up new representative office in Vietnam with the help of Philippe Vo. Earned an average commission revenue of 1.25% on sales contracts, usually denominated in US dollars.
Problem Statement:
a) Jim Gulkin's dilemma to invest in Burma:
Jim Gulkin, the founder and managing director of Siam Canadian Food Co. is considering a business investment in Burma which would allow him to expand the frozen seafood side of his business. The dilemma he faces is deciding whether to invest in Burma now with the current political, economical, and geographical uncertainties.
SWOT Analysis:
Strengths:
Gulkin's knowledge and Experience in the Business he is doing
Good relations and trust between Gulkin and local Processors
Significantly large portion of Commission margin in the business