netrashetty
Netra Shetty
Hilton Worldwide (formerly, Hilton Hotels Corporation) is a global hospitality company. It is owned by the Blackstone Group, a private equity firm. As of November 2010 Hilton brands encompass over 3,600 hotels with 600,000 rooms in 82 countries.[1] Hilton is ranked as the 36th largest private company in the United States by Forbes.[2]
The company owns, manages or franchises a portfolio of brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Company, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and The Waldorf-Astoria Collection.
It was founded by Conrad Hilton in Cisco, Texas and was headquartered in Beverly Hills, California from 1969 until 2009. The company moved to Tysons Corner, unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, near McLean in August 2009.
Many farm purchases are made on an irregular basis. Larger equipment purchases will tend to be put off in lean years, with more purchases made following a boom year. Like farmers, machinery and equipment dealers are affected by prevailing weather patterns and subsequent crop yields. Australian agricultural producers generally do not buy off product specifications - there is a definite preference for viewing and in some cases trying equipment before buying it. There is a significant amount of peer review in the buying decision, whereby local agriculturalists consult with others in their industry about what tends to work.
The above two points have resulted in the proliferation of farm exhibitions and trade shows held about the country on an annual basis. These events allow equipment buyers to not only look at a large range of equipment in the one place, but the opportunity to speak with other users. Given the spread of the agricultural industry across Australia, product distribution and support can be a complex issue – and one of the primary purchasing concerns. Several large wholesaling groups covering a range of smaller agricultural equipment and chemicals have evolved to address the distribution issue, with the two largest being Elders and Landmark. Larger equipment such as tractors, harvesters and tillage equipment are brokered by individual equipment dealers, who often cover several brands. Regional centers with agricultural activity and more than 5,000 residents might have 1 or 2 equipment dealers, having more dealers in larger centers. Equipment dealers can be reluctant to upset their existing suppliers by introducing competitor products, given the level of co-branding and marketing support they receive from larger suppliers.
Market Access
There are no quota limits on the import of agricultural equipment into Australia. U.S. /Australia FTA reduced all tariffs on this kind of equipment to 0%, although there is the Australian goods and services tax of 10% on all equipment inclusive of landed costs and duties that might be payable. Tractors and other heavy machinery imported into Australia may be required to comply with local standards including safety and transportation.
Because of its continent status and diligence in agricultural quarantine, the Australian agriculture sector is by world standards considered disease and pest free. Australia has among the toughest quarantine measures in the world. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the Australian government agency in charge of enforcing Australian quarantine laws. Quarantine controls at Australia’s borders reduce the risk of exotic pests and diseases to protect Australia’s agriculture industries and environment. Quarantine regulations not only apply to the import of agricultural machinery (both new and used) but all timber packing and/or dunnage. All imported used machinery requires an AQIS issued permit and it is a condition of the permit that machinery arrives in Australia in a clean state. AQIS defines “clean as new”. U.S. manufacturers of new agricultural equipment/parts may also be required to include a ‘manufacturers declaration’ with the shipment. For more information on importing agricultural machinery and spare parts into Australia, visit: www.aqis.gov.au
Market Entry
We recommend that U.S. businesses with agricultural equipment opportunities undertake some research before considering entry to the Australian market. There is a significant amount of competition for standard equipment, with many of these competitors being well-positioned US companies having a significant history in Australia. Despite this Australian farmers are often very receptive to new concepts and product innovations.
In many instances US companies will be looking for an Australian distributor or sales agent, as opposed to setting up operations. Whilst some agricultural pursuits and hence products are localized (e.g. sugar cane in Queensland), many segments of agribusiness are dispersed across Australia. This can present problems in reaching and servicing potential users of equipment. The Commercial Service is able to provide assistance in locating distributors that more likely suit a particular piece of equipment through our partner searches.
For companies with a strong interest in supplying the Australian agricultural market, we suggest attending a local trade show as it presents an excellent opportunity to showcase your own product, as well as view competitor products. The Commercial Service is happy to recommend and assist with international visitors to Australian trade shows and expos.
The company owns, manages or franchises a portfolio of brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Company, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and The Waldorf-Astoria Collection.
It was founded by Conrad Hilton in Cisco, Texas and was headquartered in Beverly Hills, California from 1969 until 2009. The company moved to Tysons Corner, unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, near McLean in August 2009.
Many farm purchases are made on an irregular basis. Larger equipment purchases will tend to be put off in lean years, with more purchases made following a boom year. Like farmers, machinery and equipment dealers are affected by prevailing weather patterns and subsequent crop yields. Australian agricultural producers generally do not buy off product specifications - there is a definite preference for viewing and in some cases trying equipment before buying it. There is a significant amount of peer review in the buying decision, whereby local agriculturalists consult with others in their industry about what tends to work.
The above two points have resulted in the proliferation of farm exhibitions and trade shows held about the country on an annual basis. These events allow equipment buyers to not only look at a large range of equipment in the one place, but the opportunity to speak with other users. Given the spread of the agricultural industry across Australia, product distribution and support can be a complex issue – and one of the primary purchasing concerns. Several large wholesaling groups covering a range of smaller agricultural equipment and chemicals have evolved to address the distribution issue, with the two largest being Elders and Landmark. Larger equipment such as tractors, harvesters and tillage equipment are brokered by individual equipment dealers, who often cover several brands. Regional centers with agricultural activity and more than 5,000 residents might have 1 or 2 equipment dealers, having more dealers in larger centers. Equipment dealers can be reluctant to upset their existing suppliers by introducing competitor products, given the level of co-branding and marketing support they receive from larger suppliers.
Market Access
There are no quota limits on the import of agricultural equipment into Australia. U.S. /Australia FTA reduced all tariffs on this kind of equipment to 0%, although there is the Australian goods and services tax of 10% on all equipment inclusive of landed costs and duties that might be payable. Tractors and other heavy machinery imported into Australia may be required to comply with local standards including safety and transportation.
Because of its continent status and diligence in agricultural quarantine, the Australian agriculture sector is by world standards considered disease and pest free. Australia has among the toughest quarantine measures in the world. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the Australian government agency in charge of enforcing Australian quarantine laws. Quarantine controls at Australia’s borders reduce the risk of exotic pests and diseases to protect Australia’s agriculture industries and environment. Quarantine regulations not only apply to the import of agricultural machinery (both new and used) but all timber packing and/or dunnage. All imported used machinery requires an AQIS issued permit and it is a condition of the permit that machinery arrives in Australia in a clean state. AQIS defines “clean as new”. U.S. manufacturers of new agricultural equipment/parts may also be required to include a ‘manufacturers declaration’ with the shipment. For more information on importing agricultural machinery and spare parts into Australia, visit: www.aqis.gov.au
Market Entry
We recommend that U.S. businesses with agricultural equipment opportunities undertake some research before considering entry to the Australian market. There is a significant amount of competition for standard equipment, with many of these competitors being well-positioned US companies having a significant history in Australia. Despite this Australian farmers are often very receptive to new concepts and product innovations.
In many instances US companies will be looking for an Australian distributor or sales agent, as opposed to setting up operations. Whilst some agricultural pursuits and hence products are localized (e.g. sugar cane in Queensland), many segments of agribusiness are dispersed across Australia. This can present problems in reaching and servicing potential users of equipment. The Commercial Service is able to provide assistance in locating distributors that more likely suit a particular piece of equipment through our partner searches.
For companies with a strong interest in supplying the Australian agricultural market, we suggest attending a local trade show as it presents an excellent opportunity to showcase your own product, as well as view competitor products. The Commercial Service is happy to recommend and assist with international visitors to Australian trade shows and expos.
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