Understand
Review your business, products or sourcing requirements, existing relationships, pricing and objectives.
ASIAN FOOD MARKET EXPERTS
Your next market.
A practical way in.
Helping food and beverage manufacturers develop the U.S. market and establish practical local operations. We also help businesses source products and ingredients between China and the United States.
Independent advice. Hands-on experience.
A clear next step for your business.
BRIDGING MARKETS
Asian food expertise.
North American perspective.
40+Years of North American
food industry experience
food industry experience
Retail + FoodserviceExperience across the channels
that matter to your business
that matter to your business
English · 普通话 · 粤语Clear communication across
cultures and business practices
cultures and business practices
A MARKET IS MORE THAN ITS SIZE
A good product needs
a workable market plan.
Clear product requirements. Suitable commercial partners. Workable pricing and reliable local operations.
CKS connects these pieces through market development, U.S. setup and operations support, and product sourcing. We assess requirements, research suitable partners, and coordinate the practical work around each client’s goals and resources.
How we work with you ↗OUR EXPERTISE
Strategy, relationships,
and the work behind them.
Focused advice or ongoing support,
built around your stage of development.
BEFORE YOU ENTERMake the opportunity
Make the opportunity
commercially realistic.
Understand where your products fit, what your launch will require, and which opportunities deserve your attention first.
- Product, packaging & SKU readiness
- Channel selection & market positioning
- Export pricing & landed-cost review
- Launch priorities & marketing support planning
BUILD THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPSChoose partners
Choose partners
that fit your products.
Develop suitable importer, distributor, and broker relationships, with particular depth in Asian channels and collaboration with mainstream market specialists.
- Importer & distributor identification
- Broker introductions & coordination
- Retail & foodservice opportunity development
- Buyer presentations, samples & follow-up
ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT U.S. OPERATIONSBuild the foundations
Build the foundations
for U.S. business.
Plan the operating arrangements your U.S. business needs, from working with an existing importer or distributor to coordinating an office or company setup with appropriate professional advisers.
- Operating-model planning, responsibilities & implementation schedule
- Office setup coordination & introductions to professional advisers
- Importer, distributor, warehousing & third-party logistics coordination
- Inventory, order handling & ongoing partner communication
SUPPLY OPTIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATESProduct sourcing
Product sourcing
and trade coordination.
Find supply options that fit your business requirements. CKS helps U.S. companies source in China and Chinese companies source in the United States, with a focus on food, beverages and related ingredients.
- Product requirements & supplier research
- Initial screening of product fit, capacity & export experience
- Quotation comparisons, minimum orders, lead times & samples
- Commercial communication & suitable trade and logistics partners
WHERE WE FOCUS
Rooted in Asian channels.
Connected to the wider market.
01
Asian retail
Chinese, Korean, Japanese & broader Asian markets
02
Mainstream retail
Opportunities developed with suitable U.S. broker partners
03
Foodservice
Distributor and operator requirements, from pack size to delivery
04
Branded & private label
The right commercial model for your product and capabilities
A PRACTICAL APPROACH
Clarity first.
Then the next right step.
A staged engagement keeps decisions focused
and responsibilities clear.
Prioritize
Agree on priorities, product readiness, available support and a manageable scope of work.
Develop
Research suitable suppliers or market partners, prepare agreed materials and coordinate commercial discussions.
Follow through
Support implementation, review progress, and adjust the plan as real market feedback arrives.
Consulting and sourcing engagements are defined by project or monthly scope. Fees and third-party expenses are agreed in writing before work begins. Broker representation may be considered separately for suitable opportunities.
EXPERIENCE THAT CONNECTS
Carmen Siu
Founder & Principal Consultant
Los Angeles, CaliforniaTHE PERSON BEHIND CKS
Industry knowledge.
Personal involvement.
Carmen Siu brings more than 40 years of experience in North American foodservice and retail.
That experience spans sales, operations, purchasing, distribution, import logistics, and market development—giving CKS a practical view of what a manufacturer needs and what a U.S. business partner expects.
With particular strength in Asian market channels, Carmen works directly with manufacturers and sourcing clients, coordinating suitable suppliers, U.S. brokers and commercial partners to move projects forward.
BEFORE WE BEGIN
A few useful
starting points.
Who does CKS work with?
Food and beverage manufacturers developing U.S. business, and companies seeking products or ingredients between China and the United States. We assess each project for fit, requirements and available resources before agreeing on a scope.
Is CKS an importer or distributor?
CKS provides consulting, business development, and coordination. Importation, inventory ownership, customer invoicing, and delivery are handled by appropriately qualified commercial partners, under their own agreements.
What should I prepare for an initial discussion?
Share a brief company introduction, your products or requirements, expected quantities and timing. For market development, include packaging, export pricing, existing U.S. business and available support. For sourcing, include specifications, target pricing and delivery destination.
Does market entry require manufacturer investment?
A new brand typically needs a realistic plan for samples, promotion, channel support, and ongoing coordination. We discuss those responsibilities early so the manufacturer and its market partners understand what a launch will require.
How does a sourcing project begin?
Share your product specifications, expected quantity, destination and timing. We propose a scope, deliverables and schedule. Fees and any third-party expenses are agreed in writing before work begins.
LET’S START A CONVERSATION
What’s next
for your business?
Tell us about your products, market plans or sourcing requirements, and where you could use practical support.
cksiu9988@gmail.com +1 (323) 387-9988Based in Los Angeles · Working across markets