Endorsia International provides an Internet-based industrial business network that connects manufacturers, distributors, end users and original equipment manufacturers.

Endorsia International provides an Internet-based industrial business network that connects manufacturers, distributors, end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of industrial goods and services. The high-performance network enables businesses to buy and sell online, automating the buying and selling process while reducing costs and saving time. Endorsed by leading manufacturers, the company represents branded, high-quality goods and services.

For manufacturers, Endorsia provides a single connection that links the manufacturers to their channels to market in real time.

Says Phil Knights, President of SKF Service Division, one of the manufacturers on board: 'Endorsia's approach to provide us with flexible and adaptable e-business solutions and services gives us the opportunity to effectively connect both small and large distributors and their customers around the world.

This flexibility has been vital to the success of our global sales program.' The system helps provide customer service by transmitting orders directly from the customer's ERP system into the manufacturer's system.

This enables the supplier to provide a higher level of service while reducing sales and administration costs.

Manufacturers' catalogues can be shared with selling distributors on the Endorsia network.

The distributors can access catalogue data and send electronic orders directly to their supplier.

Endorsia also helps create and manage catalogue data.

The online catalogue is inexpensive and easy to update, which reduces the cost of its maintenance.

For distributors, the network provides a single point of contact to all suppliers and customers, creating higher efficiency in the purchasing process.

Electronic orders cut down the costs associated with manual data entry and errors.

The self-service application allow the customers as well as the distributor's sales team to check pricing, availability, order status and shipping details without even having to make a phone call to the customer service desk.

This reduces unnecessary complexity and allows the staff more time to sell and not just to take orders, while accommodating each customer's individual purchasing needs.

For end users and OEMs, Endorsia helps quickly find the product they need, enabling their operation to run smoothly and minimizing any downtime to a minimum.

Especially in the time-critical MRO market, products need to be found fast and effectively.

Product information such as manuals, handling instructions, illustrations and application support can be easily accessed through the e-catalogues provided on the Endorsia network.

Ordering, pricing and shipping information is available around the clock.

The network connects end users and OEMs to their preferred suppliers or helps them find the ones that provide the product they are looking for.

Endorsia was founded in 1999 and is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Represented in 80 countries, the service is being used by 1,300 companies daily.

The electronic network is supported by state-of-the-art technology and available 24 hours a day.

Says Joakim Winggren, President of Endorsia: 'Our aim is to connect several premium brand manufacturers and provide a wider range of high quality products.

This will further increase the value of Endorsia for our clients.' According to Wingren, in the last six months Endorsia has noted a sharp increase in the demand for the products and services the company provides.

'This clearly shows that e-business is becoming an increasingly important strategic tool for all industrial companies', he concludes.