Helping Innovators Succeed
Our final story describes an engineering services firm that needed guidance to successfully navigate a change in mission focus which led to significant growth for the company.
Global Advantage International · Richmond Hill, Ontario
Global Advantage International Inc. is one of the Greater Toronto Area's premier product safety labs. Established in 2000, the company provides one-stop consulting services for consumer product testing, safety and regulatory compliance and electromagnetic capability (EMC) solutions, specializing in both the consumer products and medical device markets.
Introduction to the ISCM
After three years in business, Global Advantage’s unique product testing equipment had attracted the attention of more than 100 clients on four continents, but its founder was unsure whether to continue providing consulting services, or to expand into the research and development of additional safety testing equipment. He approached ISCM for help upon the referral of the National Research Council, which was reviewing some of the company’s high tech developments at the time. After consulting with ISCM, the founder of Global Advantage realized he needed to focus his business strategy on consulting.
Scope of Work
Working closely with ISCM mentor Doug McIntyre – who later joined the company as General Manager to continue to help it's growth – Global Advantage concentrated on providing engineering services and certification testing, an exceptional customer service model and competitive pricing. As a result, the company tripled its revenues from $300,000 to more than $1 million in the following year. ISCM then guided the company secure financing to expand into the area of EMC testing, a process that tests for radio waves and electrical surges (emission/immunity) to ensure products and equipment operate within specified guidelines. The funding ultimately helped launch an affiliate company called Global EMC Inc. in 2007, and supported Global Advantage in the building of a $700,000 state-of-the-art semi-anechoic EMC testing chamber.
Results
Today, the on-site EMC testing facility is attracting the attention of major manufacturers, including those in the software, medical device and cell phone industries, whose equipment must comply with international standards. Global Advantage’s growth continues beyond its expectations. In 2007 alone, the company surpassed its sales target by 27 per cent, as its clients recognize the need to comply with international standards to compete in the growing export markets. This has translated into a profitable return for the business – an uncommon accomplishment for a new company. Moving forward, the goal of the executive team is to slowly merge both companies into one entity as the business continues to grow.
