Jason, a regional manager for Chinese first aid supplies maker Rhino Rescue, told RG who buys military first aid kits online and how the business is developing in Russia.
People started talking about your company in Russia soon after the start of the SVO, but what were you doing before that?
Jason: Our primary product line is focused on tactical medicine. We have been doing this since 2017. Since our products are bought by both the military and the police, we have gained some experience. Therefore, we pay a lot of attention to both the quality of the product itself and the design of the packaging.
Apart from Russian buyers, who are your main customers?
Jason: Our main market is the Middle East, South Africa, as well as police and some military units in Europe. In particular, we do business with partners in France and the UK. We began actively supplying first aid kits to Russia around March last year, immediately after the outbreak of hostilities. At the same time, at that time we already had Russian-language packaging, as well as pages on social networks. Therefore, I think we were well prepared. At the same time, we try to communicate with local customers and improve our products.
Who are these local customers?
Jason: Basically training centers buy our products. Well, after the announcement of the partial mobilization, ordinary people began to buy a lot from us. In addition, some Russian distributors have certified our products so that they can be supplied to government agencies.
How do you plan to continue developing?
Jason: We’re planning two steps. Firstly, we already have a dealer network, now seven Russian companies cooperate with us in this state. They focus more on civilian buyers and training centers. Secondly, we plan to certify our products in Russia, it seems that we already have eight registered products. This is required for government projects. In general, our plans for the Russian market are approximately the same.
A Rhino Rescue representative noted that the new product line, which will also go to the Russian market, includes more civilian goods such as first aid kits for cars, travel and home.
