The directors of Marel Agencies Ltd have first hand experience of working in the UK in regional based traditional industries. They know only too well that, in all sectors, if UK managers had taken earlier positive action and adaptated their practices to deal with the rise of emerging and competing economies the UK might have been able to retain more of its manufacturing base. 

Some of this was arrogance - we know best and some of it was ignorance, or "head in the sand". As we near the second decade of this new century it is probably true that most successful UK and European companies handling goods and products are dealing with an econmoy like China in some form or another.

Chinese business practices are not so different from the west's however a factor that is much more important are connections - "who you know" - not - "what you know". This is called "gwanxi" and Marel has the very best!. Several recent large UK commercial failures managed to get this very wrong - they should have spoken to us first!

 Marel has excellent connections at local and provincial government level within China and also with the British Consular Service both in China and the UK. One of Marel’s main “USPs” is our understanding of the Chinese system; our excellent contacts within the local administration and a complete understanding of the UK visa system.

Having connections and status is called "Gwanxi" by the Chinese and this should not to be under-estimated.