1
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Preface TF Empire Ltd (TFE) enters 2009 with fresh vigor and a renewed focus. The TFE brand has been updated and a number of internal system changes have been completed. The current market conditions are affecting most companies and the solar silicon market is no exception. Many traders and sellers have seen significant price reductions across a number of different solar silicon products. That being said, as brokers our ability to thrive lies in our skill to source the most competitive deals and present them to our clients. We have created a comprehensive strategy to source the most competitive of supplies. Our focus will be on procuring supplies directly at the source. We have completed the first stage of our second round funding bringing on several new investors. Their financial input in these economic times is a testament to our new strategies and company abilities. Just as our focus will be on direct manufacturers and supplier, so too will our attention be turned to serious buyers and we will have introduced new procedures (e.g. use of the of Escrow Accounts, etc) to provide extra levels of security to our most discerning customers. Clients who fit this bracket will be contacted directly with our new systems. 2009 is a New Year and with it brings new hope, new potential and new responsibility. We ask you join us and see how we can help your company secure its future. Thank You
Jonathan Fianu Managing Director TF Empire Ltd
2
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Management Profile Jonathan Fianu: Managing Director Bsc Economics, Econometric, and Finance Jonathan has extensive experience in a range of multicultural and international environments including Croatia, France, Ghana, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Togo, UK, USA, and Zimbabwe. He is a prolific entrepreneur with comprehensive business knowledge in the areas of sales, finance, administration, design, information technology and innovation. Jonathan combines business strategy with his creative flair to produce tailored results. Jonathan is also the recipient of Entrepreneur of Year at The Man At The Top Awards rd hosted by Esquire Magazine on the 3 of November 2008. Investors – Majority Stakeholders 1. William Bryant European Credit Management – www.europeancredit.com 2. Patrick Newman 3. George Rendall Liberty Syndicate Management – www.libertysyndicates.com 4. Thomas Jordan Chubb Group of Insurance Companies – www.chubb.com
3
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
TF Empire Partners Blue Sky Laboratories Ltd – www.blueskylabs.vc – Investment Fund Financial Summary Turnover – 2.5 to 3 Million USD 2007 Valuation – 120,000 USD 2008 Valuation – 500,000 USD Based on projected cash flow, considering the assets, holdings and current potential of TF Empire. Accountants – Hammonds Accountants – Beckenham, London, UK Bank – Natwest Bank – Bromley Branch, London, UK Timeline 2007 – Jonathan Fianu leaves Opean Energy Ltd, and creates TF Energy Ltd as a separate energy company. - Consolidate various subsidiaries under the TF Empire Ltd. 2008 – Merge TF Empire and TF Energy operations. - Partner with Blue Sky Labs Investment Company for external projects - Establish TF Empire/TF Energy as a premium brokerage - Reduce liability in the solar silicon operations - Create automated systems - Bring on new talent - Increase exposure of the company and its management - Build presence and exposure in Asia - Continue to grow company assets
4
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Past Systems Over the last 3 years we have been actively operating in the solar silicon market (Opean Energy Ltd 2005-2006 | TF Empire Ltd 2007 onwards). During this time we have been able to observe the trends and market forces at work in this growing industry. It is widely believed amongst the main companies in the sector that there is around 5-10 years before smaller independent brokers start facing serious competition from much larger players. What many anticipate will happen is that the market will become more organized as full regulation is enforced and a mainstay system is established. As it currently stands there are a large number of companies and independent individuals who operate in the solar silicon market. The experience level varies greatly, and as such the professionalism, product delivery and overall competency varies aswell. The inefficiencies in the market are mainly due to the current system that a majority of independent brokers employ. This system inherently carries a high amount of liability. Once this high liability became apparent, we sought to change our systems to aid in our long-term growth and planning. When we first launched our new procedures a few months ago, the vast majority of brokers viewed it as a radical change. Many understood that the liability had been reduced, but they questioned how we could preserve our long-term relationships with our clients if we allowed direct communication between the client and supplier. After everyone had time to absorb the changes, both clients and brokers begun to understand the potential of the new measures. We put in place special procedures to deter client circumvention and we employed a range of incentives for suppliers to identify and present potential offenders. Our deposit system then enables us to gain some immediate benefit to providing the supplier information. We found that clients were unlikely to circumvent and more likely to repeat their purchases as long as the supply was legitimate. The clients understand the process, and the suppliers agreed with the principles.
5
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
The Future Regardless of the system that is employed, the broker’s main assets will be in the supply connections. It is for this reason, in the coming year we have taken onboard a strict supply policy; only promoting supplies from manufacturers that have been directly verified by a member of TF Empire. We plan to implement this through direct visits to a number of manufacturers. TF Empire plans to cement itself as a premier brokerage, forging stronger supply links that will be instrumental to its success. Over time we plan to have permanent bases in a number of regions and to look into other commodities that could benefit from the TF Empire brokerage system. TF Empire Market Position
6
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Our Services & Membership Silicon Broker We have representatives in a number of key regions, and most of our partners and colleagues are part of respected worldwide networks, including aSmallWorld – www.asmallworld.net. TFE will be sourcing supplies direct from manufacturers, and will be forming joint ventures with a number of large suppliers to obtain a combination of spot and monthly contracts. Please contact us at business@tfempire.com to discuss our membership options and entry into our alert systems. Business Sourcing Having first hand knowledge of the Silicon brokerage market has enabled us to realize the services that are of high value to the participating companies in the market. One such service is Business Sourcing. This will included everything from finding commodity brokers in different regions, to advising on the best companies to address a business need. TF Empire will deal with direct suppliers, but there may be situations where a company needs a reliable commodities broker. We have a large network of skilled individuals and company contacts that we are more than happy to leverage for TF Empire Members. As with all of our services you can choose to subscribe to one service individually or all the services with full TF Empire Membership. Due Diligence Due Diligence is one of the most important procedures during any business deal. Any short cuts in this area could have a disastrous effect on your business and the deal in question. When operating globally, due diligence becomes somewhat of an art form. Each country has their own set of business rules and procedures. There is also the cultural and language barrier that you need to aware of as you seek to obtain vital documents. We have representatives in a number of key areas that have knowledge of the business procedures for the country and surrounding region. In addition to this, further physical checks can be made at the location to provide further assurance. In our experience, providing documentation is only part of the process, additionally checks should always be undertaken to insure full confidence.
7
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Traditional Brokerage Services TFE also provides traditional brokerage services such as supply follow up and clientsupplier negotiation, etc. The most active companies will always have a high volume of transactions, and in some cases resources can be stretched. TFE is available to add resources where appropriate. NDAs are naturally signed, as a pre- requisite to membership, and our team is able to aid on a number of different transactions. Resources Services: White Papers From January 2009 we will be launching a quarterly white paper on the silicon broker market. Over the last few years TF Empire has collated a substantial amount of information on the silicon market including prices and qty availability for various supplies, and region positioning of high value orders. In addition to historic data, we will be weighting in on our thoughts of the future as well as gathering insight from a number of professional and established companies in the market. Once again clients can choose between subscribing to our quarterly issue and becoming a full member of TFE that will include all of our services. Logistics Services: White Papers TFE has access to a range of warehouses in Hong Kong and Mainland China. In each of these warehouses silicon products can be sanitized, cleaned and repackaged. This service is ideal for clients who are brokers and for agencies that represent much larger customers.
8
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
TF Empire Membership Please contact us at business@tfempire.com for additional information on our membership services and alert systems.
9
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
Thank you 2009 is a New Year and a new beginning. We sincerely hope that you share our hopes and passion for the silicon industry. I strongly believe that our sector is one of the most versatile and is best placed to operate in the current economic conditions. We trust that our new services and procedures will make operating in this market easier and safer. Thank you Kind regards, Jonny
Mr. Jonathan Fianu | Managing Director TF Empire Ltd Dalton House, 60 Windsor Avenue, London, SW19 2RR UNITED KINGDOM Office Tele: +44 (0) 2081238677 | Fax Number : +44 (0) 2076812745 Email: business@tfempire.com | Website: www.tfempire.com
10
Corporate Brochure The Solar Brokerage for Tomorrow
January 2009
END
11