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Tactical Brands: Expanding Tactical and Security Businesses Across Borders
At Tactical Brands, our vision is simple: we empower companies already succeeding in the tactical and security sectors in their home markets to expand internationally—at a competitive cost and with the least amount of hassle. By providing a comprehensive suite of outsourced support services, we ensure that your market entry is smooth, strategic, and scalable.
Where to Begin? A Practical Guide to Market Expansion
Entering a foreign market—especially one with heavy regulation—can be daunting. Many of our clients are eager to expand internationally, but the real question is: where do you start?
We break it down into three primary routes, listed in order of simplicity and ease of execution:
1. Exporting Directly from Your Existing Location
This is the fastest and most straightforward route. You simply begin marketing your product or service directly to the target market.
For example, a German company looking to enter the U.S. and Canadian markets needs only a toll-free contact number, a way to accept payments in USD and CAD, and a reliable delivery mechanism. In many respects, it’s no more complicated than selling within your domestic market.
2. Working with Partners, Agents, or Distributors
Finding a reliable local partner, agent, or distributor can streamline your entry and allow products to ship from within the market.
In our experience, distributors offer the most efficient route. A formal distribution agreement removes 75% of the workload. Though exclusivity is usually required, this can actually be an advantage—particularly in regulated sectors where local knowledge is vital.
For instance, one of our clients distributes batons and pepper spray. These items are legal in Germany, Spain, and the U.S.—but illegal in the UK and Canada. Without this awareness, the client could have faced serious legal trouble. Having the right partner on the ground prevents costly missteps and accelerates traction.
We currently manage distribution arrangements for over 20 clients worldwide—each one built on strategic partnerships that deliver results.
3. Franchising
Franchising is another powerful option—particularly for companies with an established brand and repeatable business model.
Here’s how it works:
- You provide the brand, the system, and the support.
- The franchisee pays a fixed fee, a percentage of profits, or both.
- They may also pay for exclusive territorial rights.
- Over time, they can even appoint sub-franchisees, acting as a master franchisee.
Franchising isn’t for every product, but it works exceptionally well in certain areas—such as military gear, tactical apparel, or niche security products. One of our clients sells a security marking product now used in 19 countries. Another expanded from Germany to Australia selling WWII and German military-style pilot jackets and is now launching a franchise in New Zealand.
Just one key tip: secure your trademarks before signing franchise agreements!
Program Delivery and Strategic Execution
We’ve developed our program delivery methodology through years of experience helping clients launch in markets where they’ve never operated before. We assist not only with commercial market entry but also with navigating government procurement, RFP processes, and sensitive defense-related negotiations.
In one recent case, a client manufacturing military watches received an inquiry that looked like a large-volume government contract. On closer inspection, the actual required quantity was only 140 watches—far below the thousands the client had anticipated. This is where having the right support team can save time, money, and disappointment.
Agile, Client-Centered Expansion
What sets us apart is our flexibility and responsiveness. As technologies evolve—payments, communications, and e-commerce solutions—so do our strategies.
We assign a dedicated team with the right mix of local and international expertise, tailored to your project’s needs. By listening to your goals and understanding your business landscape, we rapidly establish your market entry strategy.
We move from initial consultation and business planning through to execution phases, including:
- Opportunity and risk assessment
- Market compliance and legal scoping
- Operational planning and resource allocation
- Live implementation and feedback cycles
We also ensure continuous communication with all stakeholders throughout the project, making adjustments as needed to keep things on track.
Fast-Track to Market
While every case is unique, we find that in over 70% of situations, clients can be operational in a new market within two to three months. This is especially true for businesses already active in similar sectors—whether supplying government agencies or private-sector clients.
Why Tactical Brands?
- Decades of experience across security, tactical, and defense industries
- Expertise in international law, regulation, and market logistics
- Partnerships with top-tier consultants, distributors, and legal professionals
- Proven methodologies for low-risk, high-impact expansion
- Trusted by over 30 clients across multiple continents
Ready to go global?
Let’s make it happen—with clarity, speed, and a strategy that fits your business like a glove.