Integra Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. What does your business do and what is your role at your company?

Our company focuses on international IP consulting services. We provide clients assistance to form global strategies with respect to international patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and unfair competition. My role is to manage all financial matters for the company’s business operation in China. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with the vendor? What is the main reason you hired the service provider?

Our foreign parent company would like to develop business in China; however, we encounter various challenges, for example, language barrier, complicated local laws and regulations governing foreign investors, and communication gap with local administration and tax bureaus.

We needed someone who has experience in serving foreign investors and can help us to establish a fully operational company and a company structure which allows our business to grow across China. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? How exactly did the service provider help your company? What services did they provide for you? What technologies did they use? What was the process you went through with the service provider? (At least 5 sentences long)

Integra Group helped us successfully establish a WFOE and subsequently a Branch. They provide one-stop services for the company registration, financial advisory, bank account opening, and ongoing accounting, tax, and payroll outsourcing services to us.

They clearly communicated the company establishment procedures highlighting key points for our attention and successfully applied all the licenses necessary to carry out our business activities. Integra also helped us set up our internal finance department and implement procedures for handling daily accounting and finance related matters. 

From the service provider’s company, what is the team composition? How many teammates did the service provider have to help your business? What were their roles (if you know them)?

We were assigned a designated project manager who was supervised by a partner at the firm. For ongoing financial services, we communicate directly with an account manager and a senior account manager. 

How did you come to work with the vendor? Where did you find the vendor? Was it a recommendation from a colleague or did you do research online? What stood out about 

We were recommended Integra Group from another service vendor of ours. They stand out as a professional vendor for their services, and they're cost-effective. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What is the status of this engagement? Is the project/partnership still ongoing or has it ended? If it ended, when did it end?

The companies were fully registered in May 2021. Financial advisory and outsourcing services are still ongoing.

How did the vendor perform from a project management standpoint?

Project managers showed us explicit arrangements and sets of requirements for the services in question which made it easy for us to see the process ahead of us. We communicate both through email and instant messaging depending on the circumstances. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Integra Group followed the service timelines set out from the beginning while providing frequent updates on the projects progress. They also kept us informed about all the decision, documents, and requirements on our side.

BACKGROUND

What does your business do and what is your role?
 

Oceana Minerals provides marine algae based products of the Lithothamnium gender to the agricultural and livestock market. Oceana operates in Europe, the United States, and Central America with direct export and regional representations. Since 2018, began expanding in countries in the Middle East, in addition to prospects in Africa and Asia.

I am Asia-Pacific Managing Director for Oceana Minerals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with the vendor? 

We were searching for a vendor to assist us in designing a company structure for our expansion in the Asia-Pacific. We knew that China would be a major market for us and required a structure that would allow us to service the Chinese market and also support our exports into other countries in Asia. 

We chose Integra Group for their local presence in China and across other countries in Asia and for their professionalism. They helped us evaluate the best setup location and compare preferential policies between different jurisdictions in China to help us pick the right location. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

We initially conducted a tax analysis for different corporate structure and set out to identify the most suitable location and strategy for the company to enter the Chinese market. Integra Group then helped us identify and coordination with the special economic zone of our choice which best fit our need, find a suitable registered address, obtain all the licenses, opened bank accounts, and take care of all the financial and tax work. Services include company registration and ongoing accounting, tax, and secretarial services. 

We initially discuss the details of the service proposal and made adjustments to the contents and price. After we felt that the scope had been clearly defined and the details of the proposal had been agreed upon, we signed a formal engagement letter and made a down payment to begin the process. 

From the service provider’s company, what is the team composition? 

For company establishment and secretarial services, they provided a dedicated project manager and established a direct line of communication between us, the project manager, and a senior partner at the company. For financial and tax work, they assigned us an accounting manager to handle the daily workload to be supervised by a senior accounting manager.

How did you come to work with the vendor?

The vendor was recommended by the Free Trade Zone according to our requirement. They stood out with quick response and professional communication.

What is the status of this engagement? I

For company registration services, the project was completed in July 2021. Financial advisory and outsourcing services are still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

• Business License
• bank accounts
• license for import and export
• accounting books
• tax filing record

How did the vendor perform from a project management standpoint?

Integra Group provided clear timelines and project delivery dates which were followed. Communication was handled by email and in some instances via instant messaging for quick turnarounds. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their efficient communication, professional attitude, and demeanor are impressive.