US exporter platform sets up springboard to Asia from Australia

Founded in 2009, Zonos has created a technology platform that simplifies trade for exporters. It helps exporters to accurately calculate the landed cost of shipping goods to scores of countries around the world. The technology also helps exporters to manage regulatory clearances.

The service is hugely attractive to small exporters – especially if they use e-commerce platforms. Zonos has created APIs and plugins to integrate exporter and e-commerce systems. Zonos also assists merchants by helping them complete customs submissions and execute payments.

The company is based in St. George, Utah. And Zonos’ combination of high-tech platform and one-on-one service makes the company unique.

‘Our goal is to take the administrative headache out of exporting,’ says Hackwood. ‘Our service is used by thousands of merchants to help them export around the world. And in 2021, we started to get a lot of interest from companies in Australia.’

Zonos makes Australia a first step in Asian expansion

In 2019, Zonos started to gain significant recognition in Australia and across Asia. Demand for its services increased.

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‘Our service is increasingly popular in countries like Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand,’ says Hackwood. ‘Our goal was to springboard the company’s expansion into Asia. Having a base in the APAC time zone would be beneficial to companies in the Asia region.’

Australia’s time zone made the country a prime candidate for Zonos’ expansion plans. So did the availability of key skills in Australia.

‘We wanted to build an engineering base overseas,’ he adds. ‘We wanted to build a regional product-management and brand-development capability.’

According to Hackwood, other factors that drew Zonos to Australia included the booming retail and fashion industries.

‘And of course, there’s the lifestyle angle,’ he adds. ‘Coming from Utah, lifestyle was a major factor. Before the big move, however, we needed help. That’s where Austrade stepped up.’

Queensland emerges as a top spot for US tech

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Zonos’ executives wanted a location where the company could replicate its St. George magic in Australia.

‘Austrade gave us all the data we needed to work out where to locate a new office,’ says Hackwood. ‘TIQ and Austrade advisers in the US recommended the fast-growing tech sector on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

‘The Gold Coast had exactly the mix of tech energy and relaxed lifestyle we were looking for.’

Austrade then helped Zonos’ new country manager to relocate his family from Utah to the Gold Coast. This involved determining the visas required for his family to move to Australia. Austrade got them set up in Australia’s new Global Talent Visa program, which was launched in 2021. 

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