Chemicals & Materials

Spire’s work in the chemicals and materials space has addressed subjects ranging from sales and marketing problems to competitor benchmarking and threat response.

We are well versed in a broad spectrum of product categories. Our experience ranges across a broad spectrum of chemical and material products ranging from inorganic to organic chemistry and from resins and additives to industrial gases, from materials such as cement and structural wood, to glass and ceramic.

Issues & Opportunities

Signage media – Strategic Research in Southeast Asia

A Fortune 500 chemical producer aimed to expand its outdoor signage media business to the burgeoning ASEAN markets – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

The objectives of the study were to provide an overview of the outdoor signage media business in the five countries and assist our client in securing reliable distributors in each market.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Organo-silanes – Partner Research in China

A US-based chemical producer sought to reduce global production costs by outsourcing organo-silanes manufacturing to China, where business costs, such as labor and land were relatively low.

The objective of the study was to identify potential joint-venture or contract manufacturing partners for the production of organo-silanes in China.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Forestry products – Market potential assessment for Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber in China

A non-governmental organization based in Canada was seeking to promote products from its forestry sector to international markets. Significant volumes of Canadian Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) wood products were being imported into China to be used in non-appearance applications. However, there was a lack in understanding of the product usage and characteristics most valued by customers in this market segment.

The objectives of the study were to understand wood products manufacturers’ requirements for non-appearance lumber and the characteristics of their ideal material, which would assist Canadian sawmills in targeting this market.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Commodity plastics – Strategic research in Asia

A non-governmental organization based in Canada was seeking to promote products from its forestry sector to international markets. Significant volumes of Canadian Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) wood products were being imported into China to be used in non-appearance applications. However, there was a lack in understanding of the product usage and characteristics most valued by customers in this market segment.

The objectives of the study were to understand wood products manufacturers’ requirements for non-appearance lumber and the characteristics of their ideal material, which would assist Canadian sawmills in targeting this market.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Silicone sealants – Holistic Market Environment Research in Vietnam

A leading global manufacturer of construction chemicals wanted to understand current and future market opportunities in Vietnam so as to formulate a business expansion strategy.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Estimate the size and potential of the silicone sealant market in Vietnam
  • Define the optimal path to market and customer segments
  • Map the competitive landscape
  • Profile three major competitors
  • Recommend business expansion strategy

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Cement – Distribution network and channel development study in Indonesia

One of the largest cement manufacturers in Southeast Asia sought to develop and strengthen its distribution network to all customer segments in Indonesia.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Understand the structure of channels in the cement market, from distributors to wholesalers and retailers

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Outboard motor – Market entry study in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam

A Japan-based Global Fortune 500 manufacturer sought to launch a new outboard motor engine product to replace crude multi-purpose engines adapted for use in unorganized fishing and passenger transport boats.

The objectives of the study was to develop market sizing, forecast, end-user purchasing evaluation, channel structure and competitor analysis (including products and pricing) for outboard motors.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Market entry study for ASEAN distribution centre

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan sought to grow its aftermarket parts business in ASEAN by establishing a distribution centre within the region.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Assess the feasibility of developing the ASEAN market for specific aftermarket parts, accessories and lubricant oil
  • Recommend the most suitable location for their ASEAN region distribution centre

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Car audio – Customer satisfaction study for standard car audio in Malaysia and Indonesia

A leading Japanese car audio manufacturer operating in Thailand sought to understand the satisfaction level of Malaysian and Indonesian car owners with their standard car audio products as well as consumer plans on car audio purchasing.

The objectives of the study were to understand customer satisfaction levels on standard car audio and obtain inputs from motorists regarding the ideal specifications of car audio.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive price tracking – Passenger car tire price tracking study in Singapore and Korea

A leading global manufacturer and distributor of rubber products saw a decline in sales of its passenger car tires in Singapore and Korea. An internal discussion led to the conclusion that pricing was the root of the problem – competitors were simply more aggressive in their pricing strategies.

To increase its market share, the client sought to benchmark the prices of its competitors’ products that were targeted at various customer segments in Singapore and Korea.

The objectives of the study were to understand how the competitors positioned their products in the relevant markets and devise a counter-strategy.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive – Mystery shopping study to evaluate service quality of sales force

An American multinational automaker in Vietnam, which owned one of the largest investment capital projects in the country, viewed customer service quality as a key performance metric. The client considered its dealers’ sale force as a key success factor in affecting this metric, and had been training Sale Consultants (SCs) at its dealers for years. As such, the client wanted to study the customer service quality and sales service quality of the dealers.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Maintain customer service quality at high standards
  • Gain an understanding of customers’ assessment of the service quality and offer recommendations for improvement

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Automotive supply chain management improvement consulting in Indonesia

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan intended to give a face-lift to its Indonesian arm’s supply chain management, so as to lower costs and increase customer satisfaction as well as scalability.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Analyze the current supply chain
  • Benchmark against industry role models
  • Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency