Universal McCann, IPG Group China
RedFern Associates is a top notch organization with a group of individuals who offer great strategic insight and local knowledge. We approached them at the recommendation of a third party as we were in the need of a company who had a good understanding of the China market place while at the same time also understood the needs of foreign organizations.
Our challenge was to look at our operations and determine how to become more efficient. Our processes had been in place for several years and stretched out across multiple markets within China. Therefore a careful analysis was necessary and meeting with each of our team in the different offices was crucial to understanding our current structure.
Following this due diligence, recommendations had to be made which would show marked improvements in our processes, eliminating duplication, making submissions and approvals go faster, removing a lot of the manual paperwork involved. While RedFern Associates did not have first hand knowledge of our industry I was most impressed with their ability to conduct research and meet with others outside of our firm to learn more.
The end product was a thorough review of the history of our current structure, how we got to where we were, where things went wrong and how improvements could be made. Options were provided versus a single solution to all of our issues. It was very clear from their findings that RedFern had a true understanding of how to effect change. Currently our organization is in the midst of implementing many of the suggestions made by RedFern Associates.
Daniel A. Simon
CFO - Asia Pacific
Universal McCann
Oriental Recreational Products (Shanghai) Co., LTD
RedFern Associates was first engaged by ORPC Ltd in 2004, to undertake a full Financial Audit of its businesses. RedFern reviewed our total financial health according to the best available records, per the Balance Sheet, Income Statements, and cashflows. Further, RedFern undertook a review of all ORPC's Business Licenses and Legal requirements, as part of a comprehensive review. The goal of the Audit was aimed at exposing a Local Chinese Company to the kind
of scrutiny it could expect from outside auditors, according to Western standards, and then to platform, with three successive yearly reviews, the basis for future business expansion, with options of potential investors, and with a discussion about the possibility of an IPO.
The subsequent report fulfilled all the requirements listed above very thoroughly, and made a series of recommendations about cleansing the Balance sheet, more proper accounting treatments of assets and Inventory, which were then checked over the next 3 years. The report went further in listing
a number of strategic options available to the Company, which are still relevant today, some of which have been pursued.
The following list includes some of the list of requirements in the initials engagement:
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Annual Financial and compliance audits
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Operational Structure and manufacturing costing review
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On going Advisory and Strategic Direction on China, and Growth
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IPO investigation and preparation
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Equity / investment options.
RedFern was then invited to be part of ORPC's negotiating team, in preparation for a significant Foreign Investment, such was the trust and knowledge built up in the business.
David Boyle
Vice President (Former)
ORPC
What If! China Innovation Consultancy
Scott and RedFern helped us in the very beginning, when we were China novices and needed help in negotiating our way through the minefield of setting up a business here. The advice was helpful and practical and gave us a clear idea of what we had to to do to make a business work in China.
Dan Goldstone
Director
What If! China Innovation Consultancy
Aquatite Enterprises Limited
Our Company contracted RedFern Associates (Scott Brown, Managing Director) to help us find a suitable Agent / Distributor / Business Partner based in China, to assist with Promotion, Sales & Distribution of Aquatite Products. Aquatite Enterprises Ltd Directors had already established a manufacturing capability for their Products in Shanghai & had Patents & Trademarks set up for China.
RedFern Associates supported Aquatite Enterprises in the following ways:
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Provided research information, via a Report, on the China marketplace appropriate to the Aquatite Products acceptability
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Provide awareness on the Trading / taxation laws & regulations appropriate for China
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Through a network of Contacts was able to recommend (after due diligence) a suitable Agent for Aquatite to consider entering into a Commercial Agreement with, and provided a template Contract Agreement Document
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Offered support through doing random 'Quality Control' checks with our Manufacturer, thereby ensuring consistently high quality outputs from production
We would highly recommend them and have no hesitation in engaging RedFern for a broad range of our needs
Clive Carver
Director
Aquatite NZ
The Brumby Group Australia
Our companies have worked with Scott Brown of RedFern Associates on various China challenges for more than Two Years now.
These challenges have included
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advice on the type of WOFE we needed to establish to best suit our needs
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establishing WOFE's in the best government principality with the best business environment including Tax incentives
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Auditing and re-structuring our joint venture factory
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general advice on Numerous China issues
We highly recommend RedFern to any Company wishing to set-up in China and also to those already here who are experiencing difficulties with the business culture.
Bob Murray
Managing Director
Brumby Group
Stoncor Asia Ltd
RedFern were instrumental in helping us to identify the most suitable location for StonCor's WOFE operation among the bonded zones available in China.
The assistance and support of Scott and his team throughout the WOFE application process led to the quick and seamless approval of our WOFE license in the Zhangjiagang Bonded Logistics Park.
I would highly recommend their services to any company looking to set up a business in China.
Andrew Jamieson
General Manager
StonCor Asia
GardyneHolt - Design Partners
My business partner and I decided in early 2007 to investigate establishing offshore branches of our well-established New Zealand brand and design studio. I was early recommended to Redfern, and during my three exploratory trips, did my best to pick Scott's brains and learn as much as I could. It was immediately evident that here was a guy that both knew what he was talking about, but also willing to share his experience and insights without pushing for business. That Scott was also held in high regard by many of the other Shanghai expats I ran across, led me to request his services in establishing ourselves in China. Scott was helpful in guiding our setup strategy, as well as with following implementation. I quickly came to rely 100% upon his advice in all aspects, right down to selecting banking partners and various other on-the-ground matters.
Scott Brown and his team are highly experienced, knowledgable on intricate matters and more than competent in implementation. I consider myself fortunate to have encountered him so early in our entry into China and look forward to an ongoing partnership in building our business here. I have no hestiation whatsoever in recommending Redfern Associates to any firm considering entry into or growth in China
Michael Holt
Managing Partner
GardyneHolt - Design Partners