The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-21

rant the American manufacturer in en-
barking in an export trade TO Germany.
IF American manufacturer comes to
the conclusion that he is so situated that
he at all times will be able to promptly
supply the German market with his goods,
and believes that on account OF the SUI
periority of his manufacturing facilities he
can compete with German and other prod
ucts in Germany. he should, before doing
anything else. either come here himself
or send reliable expert to study the situa-
ton on the spot. look into the rates of
transportation and of duties. find suitable
houses to act as his agents, etc. The
comparatively small expense of such
course will cut no figure If he succeeds
even less If he sees that the business prom
iSeS profit.
My advice to every prospective Ameri-
can exporter TO Germany for that matter,
to any other country is first to acquaint
himself with all the conditions of the
market, carefully look up suitable agents,
have the necessary contracts drawn up
by reliable German attorneys in conformity
with German laws and make preparations,
If ii IL decided to engage in the business,
to be able at the shortest notice to supply
what is needed by the German customers.
l have frequently heard complaints by
German firms handling American goods
that their patience and that of their Ger
man customers has been sorely tried by the
dilatoriness of American firms in shipping
man customers, becoming Disguised. gave
up dealing in American goods solely for
this reason and handled afterwards only
supplied on short notice, although perhaps
affording less profit.
There are many articles of American
manufacture which would command ready
and profitable sale If the precautions 1
have tried to indicate be taken. The sue
cess Of many American firms in doing bust
ness in Germany is well known. The sta
tistics OF our exports to Germany speak
louder than individuals.
lone branch which, above many others,
would seem to promise we'll is that of fur
niture for the poorer and middle classes.
No country, on account of the abundant
supply of raw material and of the large
scale of manufacture and superiority of
machinery, can compete herein successfully
with the United States. If a furniture syn
dictate would send an intelligent expert over
here to study the style in vogue; estab-
lish depots, say, at Bremen, Hamburg, or
some other suitable place; ship the fur
niture so as to get the benefit of the low
est rates (as ocean freights are based on
space, not on weight; furniture in knock
down shape to be put together and var
nished on this side, / fell certain an ex-
cellent paying business could be established
provided the same was conducted by men
we'll posted and possessing that commercial
tact and intelligence which marks our sue
cessful business men at home.
"A company with sufficient means would
do. a business here that would in all prob
ability exceed their most sanguine expecta-
tons. 1 have no statistics at hand, but
believe that of all furniture imported into
Germany the United States does not sup
ply more than about 10 per cent. 1t
should be so per cent. at least, and besides
American furniture, for the reasons stated,
should also supplant great part of the
German manufacture, as any expert COM
| ing over here would see at glance