Entering Central and Eastern European markets through Gateway Strategies: the case of the French company SLAT

This paper focuses on the international development of SLAT, an independent SME which develops, produces and markets solutions of secured alimentations. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, the company has 67 employees. The SME has mainly developed in international markets through export activities: it realizes 15% of its total sales abroad and its products are marketed in 37 countries. The company has recently decided to implement a sales subsidiary in Germany to strengthen its presence in international markets. In this process, the company was accompanied by ERAI (Entreprise Rhône-Alpes International), a French agency which helps companies from the Rhône-Alpes region to expand into foreign markets. The authors of this paper explain the role played by ERAI in the establishment of the foreign subsidiary and the influence of a successful accompaniment experience on the internationalization process.