"Ken is a special person. Not only does he have excellent current
 knowledge of the industries in which he has worked, but he is a 
very thoughtful and cheerful consultant. I never felt Ken was pushing 
me to expand the scope of the project; he is a great listener, and a 
great questioner. He is quietly competent. Ken was engaged to find 
a partner or acquirer for our wafer-handling robot, and he turned up 
some exciting possibilities. I would engage Ken again without 
reservation.”  
                                       - David Lake, CEO, Innovative Robotics
PIS

Partner/Investor Search


When a Canadian wind turbine maker needed an equity partner for its fledgling business, Gravitas was able to help them find one in China. It was an immediate win-win situation for both parties. Through the partnership, the client received much needed investment to solidify their position in the smaller (under 50KW) wind turbine business and supply of low-cost generator and other key components that would further improve their competitiveness.







MNA

Mergers & Acquisition


A US private equity fund wanted to acquire specific components technologies used in many high-tech equipment that also complement their existing technology portfolio. Gravitas identified technologies owned by small private companies in Japan and Korea, researched the owners and reported to the client. Representing the client as their M&A agent, Gravitas made initial approaches with the target companies and negotiated the purchase of companies/technologies until LOI was signed. Gravitas was also asked to assisted the client through the due diligence and closing process.







PSE

Product/System Evaluation


An Asian manufacturer planning to enter the solar PV cell manufacturing business needed help sorting through the pile of information on production equipment and systems. Using our process equipment expertise, Gravitas conducted a comprehensive study of major equipment suppliers, and made unbiased recommendations. Using the report provided, the client was able to expedite the selection. In 2011, the client produced about 12MW of high-efficiency PV cells per month. 
OEM

Manufacturing Outsourcing


A major US metrology equipment company wanted to explore ways to reduce its manufacturing costs. Gravitas worked as one of the members of the company’s internal task force, analyzing the cost structure, scouring the over the BOM, discussing pricing with suppliers and exploring minor design changes with engineering. At the end of the three-month study, Gravitas helped the client setup an operations center in Singapore and implement a multi-phased strategy starting with its legacy products.






ODM

Design Outsourcing


When a young US biotech companies decided to speed up their product development process without adding headcounts to their payroll, one of the solutions considered was design outsourcing. Gravitas worked with them and found an engineering firm with experience in liquid-handling automation. Gravitas worked with the firm going over the kinematics and control architecture to solve the client’s unique automated liquid-handling requirement. Based on the successful demonstration and favorable costs, the engineering firm was selected as the ODM for one of the client’s product lines. 





 
TMM

Technical Marketing


A Japanese equipment maker based in Kanagawa decided to venture in the US market, but they faced tremendous barrier as they were geared for the Japanese domestic market. They know Japanese marketing, but did not understand what it takes to penetrate tier-1 US customers. Simply translating their Japanese marketing collaterals into English would not have captured the essence of their uniqueness in the manner US customers expected. Under NDA, Gravitas evaluated their technologies and products and developed their sales presentation materials, product data sheets and brochures. Gravitas also connected them with key managers at Intel. The client used the materials crafted by Gravitas toward their successful entry into the US market. 
CPI

Company/Product Introduction


A well-known European vacuum pump manufacturer wanted to introduce their new vacuum technology to major Asian customers. Despite having a small local support team, they decided to hire Gravitas to make contacts with the “right” people and deliver an effective product presentation. Gravitas arranged and participated in several meetings with key decision makers, as well as technical presentations for teams of engineers. The client’s original presentation materials had to undergo drastic revisions  to allow the non-native English speaking audiences to understand the engineering concepts. Following the initial marketing efforts, the client successfully demonstrated the products that are now under evaluation by their prospective customers.
SDD

Sales Development


A small Asian producer of printed RFID tags for PDM wanted to expand its market reach to the EU. Gravitas first searched and screened European distributors for them. Gravitas also overhauled the client’s English sales presentations, coached the sales team and feed market information that facilitated sales. By collaborating with Gravitas, the client was able to reduce risks and greatly accelerate their global sales development program. 
DSS

Distributor Search


When the software division of a large American company needed Asian partners that can assist them in marketing their MES software, they contacted Gravitas. The partners also had to function as systems integrators during the implementation phase and as the first line technical support teams to local customers. Gravitas was got involved in the search, evaluation, selection and negotiation process in Korea and Taiwan. Less than three months after signing the agreement, one of the partners played a key role in acquiring a Fortune Global 500 manufacturer.