Safe n Simple
Innovator and developer of new medical products attends Dubai healthcare exhibition and breaks into international markets with help from MEDC
Safe n Simple, a medical devices company based in Clarkston, Mich., specializes in ostomy and wound care aimed at providing safe and effective solutions for its customers. When Safe n Simple wanted to expand sales of their products in the global market by attending Arab Health, a leading healthcare conference and trade show in the Middle East, the company looked to MEDC’s International Trade program for assistance.
The state’s International Trade program aims to break barriers for Michigan’s businesses, from providing resources and training on doing business abroad to offering financial assistance through Michigan’s State Trade Expansion (MI-STEP) grant program.
“Arab Health was recommended to us by our UAE representative whom we hired and lives in Dubai,” said operator Tyler Sajan. “He gave us good traction in the market. Then David Newhouse, the MEDC International Trade Manager (ITM) in my region, reached out and was helpful in guiding us to apply for MI-STEP grant funds to travel abroad and participate in the show.”
Safe n Simple was able to attend the 2020 show with guidance from their ITM and MEDC assistance, including a MI-STEP grant to reimburse a portion of the participation fee and the transportation costs to and within the market. As a key networking opportunity for healthcare businesses across the world, attending the Arab Health exposition provided Safe n Simple with exposure to potential and current customers looking to distribute their medical products. The trip also gave the company the opportunity to connect with their sales rep covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
As a result, Safe n Simple is now reporting large export sales from a contract they were working on when they attended Arab Health 2020, resulting in a six-figure export growth as of January 2022. The company expects to increase sales to the MENA region by $500,000 in 2022. While Arab Health was the company’s first international trade show, Safe n Simple also has representatives in Canada and the UAE that have been to shows on their behalf to help grow their business and exposure.
“My experience with David has been positive,” Sajan said. “He was helpful in introducing us to MI-STEP to apply and receive grants for international travel and trade shows abroad. Arab Health was our first one and we had great success.”
The MEDC gives Michigan businesses like Safe n Simple the resources and opportunities to expand their reach and grow internationally through its suite of services to meet their needs, such as its International Trade programming. Through the MI-STEP program, the MEDC’s International Trade program provides financial assistance to eligible Michigan small businesses, enabling access to global markets and buyers while increasing the dollar value of Michigan exports.
Let MEDC assist you with your international trade needs. Connect with an International Trade Manager to get started at michiganbusiness.org/export.