The Melchers group
Who we are & what we do
220-YEAR-OLD GLOBAL TRADING COMPANY, 160 YEARS REGIONAL EXPERTISE IN ASIA
Melchers Group was founded in Bremen in 1806 as a privately held trading company. In 1866, we established our first Asian office in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a long‑standing presence in the region. This early expansion laid the foundation for Melchers’ role as a global partner bridging Europe and Asia. Today, Melchers employs more than 1,200 professionals worldwide, including 800 in Asia. We operate subsidiaries and representative offices across Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the UAE.
With over two centuries of trading expertise and deep regional insight, Melchers supports SMEs from the DACH region and neighbouring countries in entering Asian markets and pursuing internationalisation. We deliver end‑to‑end services that enable companies to scale with a single, reliable global trading partner. Our tailored business models, resourcing solutions, market‑entry strategies, regulatory guidance, and trusted local networks help de‑risk expansion, accelerate growth, and reduce time‑to‑market.
European businesses already established in Asia can rely on Melchers to diversify into new markets, optimise supply chains, and identify sector‑specific opportunities. Our on‑the‑ground presence and compliance‑driven approach help mitigate risk, foster scalable growth, and strengthen long‑term commercial resilience for exporters, manufacturers, and service providers pursuing Asia.
Discover the full Melchers story on our corporate website.
FROM CHALLENGES TO OPPORTUNITIES, MELCHERS MAKES ASIA WORK FOR YOU
Melchers operates a long‑established Asia network that integrates local specialist teams, regional hubs, and decades of market experience. When you need a trusted outsourcing partner, we deliver end-to-end services spanning the entire value chain. As a corporate service provider, we manage company setup, compliance, and local representation.
Leveraging decades of experience in Asia trade, we connect buyers with vetted suppliers across the region. We support consumer businesses with tailored sourcing strategies that improve margins and product appeal. Our product sourcing Asia services include supplier audits, negotiations, and compliances. Choosing Melchers as your outsourcing partner comes with several benefits:
- Longstanding Asia experience: Benefit from our 220 years of historical market knowledge and established networks.
- Global reach with localised expertise: Integrated infrastructure and execution capabilities enable hands‑on approach.
- Governance and compliance: Strong safeguards for complete market regulatory adherence.
- Strategic bridge between Europe and Asia: Tailored support across industries to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, cultural nuances, and operational challenges.
- China‑plus‑one strategy: Our strong presence across Asia enables diversification using the China+1 model.
- Flexible engagement: Business models tailored to market maturity, risk appetite, and investment period.
- A trusted partner for SME internationalisation: Proven track record in helping businesses scale across borders.
WE GO BEYOND CONSULTANCY
Melchers positions itself as a flexible enabler of internationalisation, particularly for European SMEs seeking to enter or expand within Asia. Our business models are designed to help companies de‑risk operations and diversify portfolios to achieve long-term success across the region. Choose us as your outsourcing partner to streamline production and reduce operational costs.
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Quick guide: Why choose Melchers
How does Melchers support European SMEs in entering or expanding in Asian markets?
Melchers helps European SMEs successfully enter and grow in Asian markets by providing end‑to‑end support tailored to their business needs. With over 200 years of experience in Asia, we act as a trusted local partner, combining market expertise and established local infrastructure.
Our services cover market entry strategy through research and competitor analysis, local representation as agent, distributor or joint venture partner, and sales and distribution management to strengthen brand presence.
We further provide after‑sales service to enhance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency by managing logistics, compliance and back‑office functions, as well as risk mitigation to navigate regulatory frameworks and cultural complexities with assurance.
Why is derisking important for business expansion in Asia and how does Melchers navigate it??
Derisking reduces exposure to regulatory, operational, and supply chain challenges. Melchers helps companies mitigate risks through local compliance support, diversified sourcing, and robust logistic chain management.
What is the China +1 strategy and how can Melchers support it?
The China +1 strategy is a diversification approach where companies maintain operations in China while expanding into at least one additional Asian market to reduce dependency and risk.
Melchers supports this by designing tailored entry models, building resilient supply chains, and managing compliance across multiple countries. We enable SMEs and multinationals to implement China +1 confidently, accelerating rollout while ensuring long‑term growth across Asia.
What makes Melchers different from other trading and service companies?
Melchers stands out from other trading and service companies because of our deep-rooted history in Asia, decentralised structure with local expertise, and ability to combine global networks with tailored, on-the-ground solutions for SMEs and multinational clients.
Unlike many firms that act only as intermediaries, Melchers invests directly, builds long-term partnerships, and offers end-to-end services from market entry to after-sales support.
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