Success Story
McKeon Products, Inc.
With the help of MEDC International Trade Services, the makers of Mack’s Earplugs have found new export markets in the European Union, Asia and Australia.
Since 1962, McKeon Products, Inc., makers of Mack’s® brand products, has committed to supplying the highest quality, innovative hearing protection, sleep aids and swimmer’s ear prevention products at the best possible value, including a diverse range of ear plugs. To support the company’s growth into global markets, McKeon Products looked to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for guidance on how to bring their products to the world. They began using MEDC International Trade services in 2013.
“Delivering on our commitment to quality and comfort has made us the #1 brand of earplugs in the category,” said Blake Izor, Director of Sales. “As we’ve expanded, we’ve seen that growing new markets internationally can be difficult with limited resources. We run into all sorts of challenges entering new markets, such as price points, exchange rates, international tariffs, customs, duties, taxes, logistics, finding the right distribution partners, just to name a few. The MEDC has been wonderful in tackling some of these.”
The company has achieved significant success in export markets, specifically in the European Union and Asia, and recently participated on the MEDC International Trade Team's trade mission to Japan and Korea.
“I have worked with multiple trade managers at the MEDC that have truly been invested and committed to helping us in any way possible. Their matchmaking services that secure meetings with potential distributors around the world are fantastic. They take the time to put very thoughtful consideration into the right fit, which makes these meetings much more productive and fruitful in the long term,” said Izor.
The MEDC (along with the MI STEP grant program) has made it easier financially for our small company to tackle these opportunities. Without their assistance in opening doors and securing meetings with potential distributors and customers, we would not be where we are today.
McKeon Products has used Michigan’s State Trade Expansion Program, which enables access to global markets through financial assistance from the MEDC’s International Trade team. The company also collaborated with the MEDC’s foreign offices and participated with the MEDC in trade missions to China, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.
“Over the years, we have gained distribution in some of Australia’s largest retailers because of our start with the MEDC. They vetted and found multiple partners for us to meet with while participating in a mission, and helped us secure a solid distributor that had a shared vision and passion for bringing Mack’s to their market,” said Izor. “MEDC has an abundance of resources in so many markets across the world. Whether it’s for market research, joining a trade mission, or just to get to know their capabilities, giving them a call or setting up a meeting is an absolute no-brainer. They are always willing to help a Michigan company.”
