u/Expensive_Log_5143

Hey everyone,

I’m part of a family-run spare parts manufacturing business, mainly focused on the aftermarket, and I’m now looking to start exporting.

I’m considering Italy as my first export market, especially the agricultural aftermarket, and I’m planning to visit EIMA Bologna in November.
If you were in my position, how would you approach this?

A few things I’m unsure about:

What would you do before the trip?
How would you approach potential buyers/importers?

Would you treat EIMA primarily as a sales trip or a networking/market-research trip?

How many meetings would you realistically try to arrange beforehand?

During the exhibition, would you approach companies without appointments?

I currently don’t have Italian-market-specific products ready. My idea is to understand what Italian buyers are already sourcing and potentially get samples, drawings, OEM references or requirements from them, then develop the parts in India.

Would buyers actually be willing to share samples/requirements with a new potential supplier?

If you were starting from exactly my position, would you make this trip and how would you structure it to get the maximum value from it?

Would really appreciate advice from people who have actually done B2B exports/trade fairs, especially in Europe.

I recently joined my family business, which manufactures tractor and agricultural machinery parts in India. We’ve been in the business for decades, but I’m now trying to take the company into exports, starting with Italy.

I’m planning to visit EIMA Bologna in November, and this will be my first international market and my first serious attempt at exporting.

The problem is that I’m honestly starting from almost zero in Italy.

My total trip budget will be around ₹1.5 lakh, but currently I have:
No meetings booked
No Italian customers
No distributor/agent
No samples specifically for the Italian market
No existing Italian tractor-model products in our range

Our current product range is mainly tractor and agricultural machinery parts for the Indian market, and the Italian market has a very different mix of machines and models.

So I’m trying to figure out how to approach this intelligently.

1. How many meetings should I realistically aim to book?
If I’m spending around ₹1.5 lakh on the trip, how many serious buyer/distributor/manufacturer meetings would make the trip worthwhile?
10? 20? 30?
And should I be targeting distributors, spare-parts companies, agricultural machinery manufacturers, or OEMs?

2. How do I actually get these meetings?
I’ve been emailing Italian companies, but the response rate is extremely low.
What actually works in Italy for getting a first meeting with a potential buyer?
Cold email? LinkedIn? Phone calls? Local sales agents? Introductions? EIMA’s networking/meeting system?

3. What do I show them if I don’t have the right products?
This is probably my biggest problem.
I don’t want to walk into a meeting with random Indian tractor parts that have nothing to do with their products.
Are Italian manufacturers/distributors open to giving a potential supplier a sample, drawing or specification and asking them to manufacture it?
For example, if a company uses a particular gear/shaft/component that we don’t currently manufacture, could I approach them as:
“We are an Indian manufacturer of gears and agricultural machinery components. If you have components that you currently source and would like an alternative supplier for, we can manufacture according to your drawing/sample/specification.”
Is that a realistic approach?

4. How should I position myself in the first email?
I can’t honestly say that we already manufacture Italian tractor-model parts because we don’t.
I also don’t want to pretend we’re something we’re not.
Would it be better to position ourselves as a custom/OEM manufacturing partner for gears and agricultural machinery components, rather than as an existing Italian spare-parts supplier?

5. Is this trip even worth doing?
If you were in my position, would you spend ₹1.5 lakh to attend EIMA with no meetings and no Italian-specific samples?
Or would you first spend 2–3 months building contacts and only go once I have a certain number of confirmed meetings?
I’m looking for advice from people who have actually done B2B manufacturing/export sales, especially in Europe.

What would you do if you were starting from exactly this position?

I recently joined my family business, which manufactures tractor and agricultural machinery parts in India. We’ve been in the business for decades, but I’m now trying to take the company into exports, starting with Italy.

I’m planning to visit EIMA Bologna in November, and this will be my first international market and my first serious attempt at exporting.

The problem is that I’m honestly starting from almost zero in Italy.

My total trip budget will be around ₹1.5 lakh, but currently I have:
No meetings booked
No Italian customers
No distributor/agent
No samples specifically for the Italian market
No existing Italian tractor-model products in our range

Our current product range is mainly tractor and agricultural machinery parts for the Indian market, and the Italian market has a very different mix of machines and models.

So I’m trying to figure out how to approach this intelligently.
1. How many meetings should I realistically aim to book?
If I’m spending around ₹1.5 lakh on the trip, how many serious buyer/distributor/manufacturer meetings would make the trip worthwhile?
10? 20? 30?
And should I be targeting distributors, spare-parts companies, agricultural machinery manufacturers, or OEMs?

2. How do I actually get these meetings?
I’ve been emailing Italian companies, but the response rate is extremely low.
What actually works in Italy for getting a first meeting with a potential buyer?
Cold email? LinkedIn? Phone calls? Local sales agents? Introductions? EIMA’s networking/meeting system?

3. What do I show them if I don’t have the right products?
This is probably my biggest problem.
I don’t want to walk into a meeting with random Indian tractor parts that have nothing to do with their products.
Are Italian manufacturers/distributors open to giving a potential supplier a sample, drawing or specification and asking them to manufacture it?
For example, if a company uses a particular gear/shaft/component that we don’t currently manufacture, could I approach them as:
“We are an Indian manufacturer of gears and agricultural machinery components. If you have components that you currently source and would like an alternative supplier for, we can manufacture according to your drawing/sample/specification.”
Is that a realistic approach?

4. How should I position myself in the first email?
I can’t honestly say that we already manufacture Italian tractor-model parts because we don’t.
I also don’t want to pretend we’re something we’re not.
Would it be better to position ourselves as a custom/OEM manufacturing partner for gears and agricultural machinery components, rather than as an existing Italian spare-parts supplier?

5. Is this trip even worth doing?
If you were in my position, would you spend ₹1.5 lakh to attend EIMA with no meetings and no Italian-specific samples?
Or would you first spend 2–3 months building contacts and only go once I have a certain number of confirmed meetings?
I’m looking for advice from people who have actually done B2B manufacturing/export sales, especially in Europe.

What would you do if you were starting from exactly this position?

I recently joined my family business, and honestly, we’re not doing very well right now. I’m having a hard time understanding how distribution actually works.

We’re into tractor and agricultural machinery parts, and I’m confused about whether I should be targeting distributors or individual shop owners. If distributors are the better option, how do I actually find them?

Then there’s the question of payment terms. Do distributors usually pay 100% after delivery, or is credit/30–60 day payment more common?

And another thing I don’t understand: if I hire a salesperson and their expenses end up being higher than the sales they generate, how do companies manage to have so many salespeople?

I recently joined my family business, and honestly, we’re not doing very well right now. I’m having a hard time understanding how distribution actually works.

We’re into tractor and agricultural machinery parts, and I’m confused about whether I should be targeting distributors or individual shop owners. If distributors are the better option, how do I actually find them?

Then there’s the question of payment terms. Do distributors usually pay 100% after delivery, or is credit/30–60 day payment more common?

And another thing I don’t understand: if I hire a salesperson and their expenses end up being higher than the sales they generate, how do companies manage to have so many salespeople?

Looking for exporters of aftermarket spare parts in Ludhiana. Need some help.

I’m urgently looking to purchase Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) scrap / broken pieces.

Required thickness: 1.10–1.50 mm

Both small and large quantities work for me — even if you have just 1–2 broken pieces, I’m interested. Larger quantities are also welcome.

If anyone has PCD scrap available or has a contact with a manufacturer, tool shop, recycler, or supplier who may have it, please DM me or share their contact.

I’m urgently looking to purchase Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) scrap / broken pieces.

Required thickness: 1.10–1.50 mm

Both small and large quantities work for me, even if you have just 1–2 broken pieces, I’m interested.

Larger quantities are also welcome.

If anyone has PCD scrap available or has a contact with a manufacturer, tool shop, recycler, or supplier who may have it, please DM me or share their contact.

Looking for young 2nd or 3rd generation entrepreneurs in the alloy steel rolling mill industry who are looking to expand their business.
I have an idea that’s already gaining strong traction in the U.S. market, and I believe it has significant potential here as well.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Looking for young 2nd or 3rd generation entrepreneurs in the alloy steel rolling mill industry who are looking to expand their business.
I have an idea that’s already gaining strong traction in the U.S. market, and I believe it has significant potential here as well.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Looking for young 2nd or 3rd generation entrepreneurs in the alloy steel rolling mill industry who are looking to expand their business.
I have an idea that’s already gaining strong traction in the U.S. market, and I believe it has significant potential here as well.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Looking for young 2nd or 3rd generation entrepreneurs in the alloy steel rolling mill industry who are looking to expand their business.
I have an idea that’s already gaining strong traction in the U.S. market, and I believe it has significant potential here as well.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Looking for young 2nd or 3rd generation entrepreneurs in the alloy steel rolling mill industry who are looking to expand their business.
I have an idea that’s already gaining strong traction in the U.S. market, and I believe it has significant potential here as well.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Hi,

I need some advice from an exporter of mechanical components in Ludhiana. I’m expand our exports business. I’d really appreciate 10–15 minutes of your time to learn from your experience and seek your guidance.

Thank you!

Anyone up for any online game like skribbl, psych, or any other game.

I’m trying to build a proper old money / quiet luxury wardrobe (not flashy logos or streetwear).
I’m looking for places in Ludhiana that have:
Linen shirts
Oxford shirts
Polo T-shirts
Tailored trousers/chinos
Loafers
Blazers and knitwear
Good-quality fabrics with classic fits
I’m okay with both branded stores and local shops/tailors or any online platform. Budget isn’t a major issue if the quality and fit are worth it.
If you’ve found any hidden gems or tailors who can stitch this style well, I’d really appreciate your recommendations.

Let’s talk about politics.

Ludhiana feels like a dead city 🫠🫠. I’m looking for friends to hang out with, maybe go bowling or do something fun. Both guys and girls are welcome!

Currently we’re 2 people (early 20s), planning a 1-night trip with riverside camping, bonfire, good food, and exploring Jibhi/Tirthan.

Dates are flexible for now. Looking for chill, fun, and reliable people who enjoy road trips and nature.

DM if interested and tell me a bit about yourself.