From IT to Export/Import Services: An Innovative Approach to Business

We provide innovative solutions to our clients all over the world in every stage of project, from planning to design, to construct and operations and maintenance. Using professional experts in every areas, using most talented local manpower, we provide solutions in every phase of the projects until successful completion and handover.

Imagine you have multiple business solutions tied up into one entity. Multiple companies rolled into one package so that you can save precious time meeting the needs of your own business. Galaxy Contracting International is that entity, providing you with business solutions that can help you get the job done. These solutions include

Construction

IT and Cyber Security

Consulting

International Trade, Import and Export

Logistics

From helping you build something brand new to making IT services available to your company, our partners are ready to help you. Imagine being able to seamlessly trade internationally, taking advantage of a full range of export and import services that take the guesswork out of something that is otherwise highly complicated. By conquering highly complicated logistics, certain business practices can run seamlessly, which can allow you to expand your business practices domestically and internationally. Why be held within a boundary if you don’t have to be? You shouldn’t be, and that is why Galaxy Contracting International exists.

Construction

Considerations in Road Construction

Roads are taken for granted because the primary infrastructure was put in place in the 1950s. When it is time for a new road, however, some careful considerations must be made. Galaxy Contracting International has partner companies that specialize in road construction, and they consider the following factors:

  1. How much traffic a road will receive, which will play a major role in its structure. This is looked at during the conceptual and preliminary engineering phase of road construction.
  2. The logistics of construction. For instance, a car or truck can only handle so much of an incline before traffic is lost. Roads must also be built in areas where they are less likely to flood or cause another danger that could put motorists at risk. This is the engineering and design phase of road construction.
  3. Certain quality standards must be followed for the asphalt, and signs and lines must be installed properly. These standards are set at the federal and state levels.

There is a lot of collaboration that must occur. Galaxy Contracting International is going to be able to effectively collaborate and accurately execute plans. The end result is another piece of the roadway puzzle that is effective in helping people safely get from point A to point B.

Construction Companies Versus DIY

There are many do-it-yourself (DIY) articles on the Internet. While some are quite helpful, they are “one size fits all” when everyone’s issues aren’t always the same. Although there is a feeling of accomplishment when you’re able to fix a problem on your own, doing so can sometimes be dangerous or the project may not turn out the way that was intended. When a project doesn’t turn out as intended that is an unnecessary cost.

Whether you are remodeling a bathroom or building a structure on your property, hiring a construction company means proper measurements, quality materials, fast completion, a warranty, and proper safety practices. Legitimate construction companies are also bonded and insured, which gives you the peace of mind you need that a good company is doing the job.

Galaxy Contracting International’s companies and partner companies execute a specific plan of action when ensuring the project is done right. This plan involves the concept, procurement, design, construction process, minimizing environmental impact, and quality assurance.

Not only do you know the job is done right, but you save a lot of time and can focus on other important things during the construction process.

The Economic Importance of the Construction Industry

The construction industry plays an important role in the economy. This is because this sector is investor-controlled, and the government may show high interests in this area. Contracts can be created by government entities or in the private sector. It is important that all of these contracts exist because of infrastructure. When there is infrastructure in an area, an area grows.

Solid Planning

Proper planning is very important in the construction industry because it ensures the proper management of product handling, product transport, material delivery, storage, and the building process. By executing logistics in the construction industry, costs are reduced by 2.5%. Galaxy Contracting International has partner companies that specialize in the logistics of construction. From the initial concept and design to minimizing the impact on the environment and the actual construction process, GCI has every step of the process covered for projects of any size.

Tools and Machines

Because tools and machines must be used in the construction industry, the companies that manufacture these construction necessities are supported. These companies pay taxes, so the economic boost goes much further than the construction company itself.

The Latest Trends in New Home Construction

Every few years, new trends in home construction pop up. In other words, what was popular 20 years ago isn’t popular anymore. There are new styles and ideas that come about that become hot trends. Of course, what is popular now won’t be in 20 years, but that’s OK since remodeling is an option later on.

The following are the latest trends in home construction:

A more natural selection

– Engineered woods are very popular, especially if they have a more natural finish.

Open space

– People love open space, especially when that space has a lot of natural light.

Clean lines

– Rather than strange curves and odd edges, people want cut and dry clean lines. They want no wasted space so they can use as much of the area as possible.

Kitchen seating

– The kitchen island has become even more popular because people spend so much time in the kitchen. This is why new homeowners are opting for islands to be built into the kitchen.

Outdoor living spaces

– While an outdoor living space can be built any time, some homeowners want their patios and outdoor fireplaces to be built along with the home.

Going green

– Of course, solar panels and other methods of going green are growing in popularity. Utility bills reduce, and so does the household’s carbon footprint.

An experienced construction company will know about these trends and how to institute them so that homeowners can have exactly what they want. At Galaxy Contracting International, you will be connected with individuals who can ensure the construction process is carried out accordingly. From the initial concept and design to the completion of the project, it can be done right and the latest trends and construction rules followed.

Building Better Roads toward a Better Infrastructure

Roads and bridges around the U.S. and the world continue to deteriorate because of age and, sometimes, a lack of maintenance. In southern Ohio, a bypass that was started in the 1960s finally started seeing progress in 2016. After road construction first halted, it took over 50 years before work resumed. Forty miles down the highway, another bypass has sat unfinished for well over a decade.

It’s very important that roadway projects are finished. It’s also important that new ones are started because these roadways play a major part in infrastructure. Roads give people methods to travel and how they are built can contribute to efficiency and safety. New businesses pop up along these roadways, creating new opportunities, and travelers are able to see and experience so much more. At Galaxy Contracting International, our companies are committed to helping improve infrastructure. Through experience and the most efficient road construction methods, new roads can lead to new places and old ones can experience new life. The construction capabilities of our companies involve:

  1. Conceptual and preliminary engineering
  2. Procurement
  3. Engineering design
  4. Management consulting
  5. Construction
  6. Asset management
  7. Environmental consulting
  8. Security design and consulting

Every facet of the process is covered, which helps federal, state, and local governments strengthen their infrastructure.

IT and Cyber Security

Why the World Needs Information Technology

We live in a time when information technology (IT) is necessary. The modern world is highly dependent on technology, and IT professionals have to be there to make sure everything runs smoothly. Without IT professionals, the high-tech world we are used to would not exist as we know it. Being that technology touches everyone’s lives on a daily basis, the importance of the field is emphasized even more.

Galaxy Contracting International has partner companies that specialize in IT services. From professionals who help companies manage their operations to those that ensure the systems we rely on daily keep working, there is a demand, and these partner companies are there to help meet that demand. Information technology is important in the following areas:

Business

Government

Education

Finance

Healthcare

System Security

Emerging markets

Telecommunications

Transportation

Energy

The list can go on. GCI is able to provide services that involve technology assessment, network infrastructure, solutions development, project management, cyber security, data center operations and management, data management and analysis, staff augmentation, and much more. The goal is to provide clients with a service that understands them and can ensure the highest quality.

Due to IT and its improvements, globalization has increased, communication has become easier, and even such things as social media have become a part of most everyone’s lives. There are also many programs out there that are designed to make everyone’s lives easier.

Consulting

How an IT Consultant Streamlines Business Operations

A business that relies heavily on technology can benefit from IT consulting. Call centers, financial institutions, those with in-house IT staff, and many others can utilize the knowledge that an IT consultant can give them. This individual can look at existing practices and recommend ways to improve them. The consultant can also look at what a business is doing and recommend ways to integrate technology in order to streamline how the business conducts its operations. For instance, a small business that still uses pen and paper could benefit greatly from a database that allows employees to pull up customer information quickly.

Galaxy Contracting International helps businesses focus on such areas as network infrastructure, solutions development, project management, cyber security, data center operations and management, data management and analysis, and management information systems. This is done by performing a technology assessment to see what needs to be improved.

Overall, many business objectives need to be met, and an IT consultant tells how this can happen. If there are problems, a consultant helps the business overcome those problems. The idea is to improve the overall efficiency and structure of the IT systems within businesses.

How Do You Know You Need a Consultant?

Running a business can be difficult at times. It is especially difficult when there are problems, yet you can’t seem to identify the cause. Not being able to see exactly what the root of a problem is very common because of how close you are to the business. A consultant is an outside perspective that can evaluate the business and determine exactly what is happening that is hurting the bottom line.

At Galaxy Contracting International, our consultants can do the following for a business:

  1. Market research and feasibility
  2. Business strategies
  3. Human resource management
  4. Capacity building
  5. Organization development
  6. Change management
  7. Merger and acquisition

If you notice dropping revenues, personnel issues, or that things just don’t seem to be running the way that they used to, it can be beneficial to hire a consultant through GCI. Many companies have turned around a loss in revenue by having a consultant identify a problem. The consultant then makes recommendations that can be used to create strategies that will fix the problems. Having feedback from someone not as close to the business can make a significant difference in how well the business thrives.

The 8 Fundamental Objectives of Consultants

Consulting is a very important practice that offers objective feedback about business practices that need to be improved. Galaxy Contracting International has partnered with a number of different companies, which enables effective consulting services to be offered to those that are in need of an unbiased opinion. Here are eight fundamental objectives that consultants work to meet:

  1. Provide valuable information to the client.
  2. Help the client solve its problems.
  3. Make a diagnosis of what is hurting the business, which may require the consultant to redefine the problem in a way in which the client can better see.
  4. Make recommendations based on the diagnosis.
  5. Assist with the implementation of the recommendations.
  6. Secure a commitment from the staff around the corrective action.
  7. Facilitate client learning, which involves teaching clients how to resolve similar problems that may occur in the future.
  8. Permanently improve the organizational effectiveness of the business.

Sometimes consultants don’t make it past the fifth objective. Objectives six, seven, and eight depend on business needs, so they are addressed less frequently. Clients are also less likely to request them because they feel more secure after the fifth objective. For those that don’t feel as secure, the remaining objectives are open.

In many cases, these objectives are used in conjunction with market research and feasibility studies, capacity building, change management, and merger and acquisition. Any time a business is in some kind of development phase, business strategy development, organization development, and other practices may be required. At GCI, the type of consulting provided is needs-based so that clients get what they need and so improvement is continuous.

The Value of a Consultant

Consulting is about more than giving advice. There are many purposes to a consultant aside from coming into a business or another type of operation, observing, and then giving some kind of suggestion. Consulting involves such activities as conducting a competitive analysis, helping develop corporate strategies, human resource suggestions, and operations management. There are also areas that exist within these primary areas where a consultant can be valuable. To give a better rundown of what a consultant can do, he or she can:

  1. Perform market research and feasibility studies
  2. Develop business strategies
  3. Improve human resource management
  4. Assist with capacity building
  5. Help with organization development
  6. Help with change management
  7. Assist with mergers and acquisitions

The companies with GalaxyContracting International place a strong focus on the area of management consulting, helping firms of all sizes overcome challenges so that they can thrive within their industries. Without that outside perspective, a business may continue the same damaging actions again and again.

All in all, a consultant is all about collecting data, analyzing that data, providing feedback, and then helping implement a strategy. Consulting helps businesses set goals, see how they can reach those goals, and see what the prospective influence of those goals will be. This leads to an executable plan. Many consultants are able to stay onboard and oversee the strategy to ensure the business moves in the right direction. A consultant can do as much or as little as the business needs him or her to do.

Collaborative Shipping Logistics

Many shippers now view the infrastructure required to ship a product from manufacturer to retailer as a chance to collaborate rather than compete. This is interesting since competitors want to have an edge over each other. In this case, they are collaborating with one another in order to cut costs, and it works without sacrificing how their products appeal to their audiences.

Galaxy Contracting International has an army of partner companies dealing within like industries. Collaborative distribution is a no-brainier, but no one has really acted on it. Most of the obstacles have to do with hidden agendas, investments, and cultures. Sometimes it’s simply a lack of understanding how this can work. For those that have used it, they have had great success having a positive impact on their bottom lines. When it is approached as a program where freight can be pulled together from multiple shippers to fill a truck, everyone saves. They save because each shipper pays for the space that it uses.

When manufacturers and others are able to save on shipping logistics, those savings are sometimes passed on to customers, which has a big impact on customer loyalty. Not only does this have an impact on customer loyalty, it affects domestic and international trade, two areas that GCI is focused on in order to influence the global economy.

International Trade

The Ins and Outs of Exporting

It is possible to have the logistics of exporting done for you so that you can keep as many of your resources as free as possible. Galaxy Contracting International has partnered with companies that can take the stress and the time-consuming tasks off the shoulders of the business. This is important since exporters have to understand the terms of international shipping. It is also good to have guidance on how to price merchandise profitably.

There are also certain terms to remember, like Ex Works, Free Carrier, Free on Board Vessel, and Free alongside Ship. These have to do with how the merchandise is shipped. The two primary export methods are by ship or plane. This means the merchandise will arrive at an airport or port. The shipper pays shipping prices and the insurance to cover the safe arrival. These costs have to be considered when properly pricing items so that they can be profitable.

Other charges include Delivered Duty Paid and Delivered at Frontier, which is when merchandise is to be delivered to a specific drop-off point. Basically, it is the cost and logistics of making sure merchandise reaches its destination. The good news is that you can receive help if you need it.

There is a lot to remember in international trade, making it difficult to remember everything. By having a third party through GCI to help you, you can successfully execute cross-border trade and even penetrate new markets.

What Happens When Merchandise Arrives at a U.S. Port?

When merchandise arrives at a U.S. Port of entry (border, dock, or airport), the carrier submits an air waybill or a bill of lading to the on-site customs office. The shipper notifies the customer broker, and the clock starts ticking. The broker has 15 days to process the paperwork and get the goods through customs. The broker will use the following documents:

  1. Form 7533 – this is the entry manifest.
  2. If you need immediate delivery, Form 3461 is used.
  3. The air waybill or bill of lading
  4. A commercial invoice or, if one can’t be produced, a pro forma invoice
  5. Packing lists
  6. A certificate of origin may need to be produced.
  7. Customs bond that is posted by the broker to assure customs that it will get the taxes, duties, and any penalties paid in some way.

After customs has processed all of the documents, the merchandise is then “out on bail.” Summary documentation then needs to be processed, and the broker has 10 days to do it. The shipment is then inspected to ensure legality and so the duty value or tariff can be determined. Customs officials make sure all of the proper markings are present and that everything has been properly invoiced. They also make sure there is nothing illegal within the shipment.

This is a lot for a company to handle on its own when it is also overseeing every other aspect of the operation. Galaxy Contracting International has companies that are willing to take on the logistics of imports so that the burden of compliance, filling out forms, cost minimization, and transportation is covered. It is a practice many companies are opting for in order to maximize their international trade relations.

Defining International Trade

International trade is something everyday people hear about frequently because it is a part of what makes the U.S. economy work. However, it also is part of the engine that makes the world economy run. Goods come in and out of the country all of the time. If a company wants to sell in another country, it is going to have to export. For the U.S. to sell goods from other countries, they have to be imported. The logistics can be complicated. Fortunately, Galaxy Contracting International has partnered with companies that specialize in these areas so that international trading can be carried out as smoothly as possible for businesses around the country. The company is able to handle the following aspects of international trade:

  • Import and export
  • Cross-border trade
  • New market penetration
  • Customs clearance
  • Global eCommerce

Wealthy countries are able to put their resources to work through international trade. Different countries are endowed with different assets. It is important for them to make these assets and resources available in countries that are in need of them. This helps make possibilities endless for many people around the world, and GCI is a part of that.

Getting Imported Goods through Customs

There are many details involved in the import and export business. It is imperative to have rules, regulations, and strategies in place to ensure both are done smoothly. When imports arrive from their foreign destinations, the first task is to get the arrivals through customs. This is typically done through a customs broker. Unless a company has its own import license, it can’t take its own merchandise through customs.

Galaxy Contracting International has a host of partner companies, some of which specialize in import and export. This helps individual companies prevent a lot of the obstacles that can get in their way. It also saves time in not having to deal with the logistics and intricate details of import. There are four steps to making sure goods are successfully moved through customs:

  1. Deciding how the merchandise will enter and where it will enter.
  2. Determining the legality and duty or tariff value of the merchandise.
  3. Determining the tax percentage that will be charged on the merchandise’s value.
  4. Paying the duties or tariff.

While these steps may not seem too complicated, there are smaller details that add to the complexity, such as navigating the exchange rate, overall costs, and compliance with different laws. When everything is done right, the process moves smoothly. This smooth and established process can be duplicated in order to achieve import success every time.

Logistics and Transportation

The Limitations of Reverse Logistics

Logistics play an important role in the supply chain. This is why companies will hire third-party logistics companies to take care of imports, exports, and other activities. Reverse logistics touch on a different part of the industry. Where companies focus on getting their products out there, reverse logistics refers to product returns. Because e-commerce has become prevalent in the retail industry, returns are becoming more common.

At Galaxy Contracting International, we have companies that focus purely on logistics with an emphasis on e-commerce and what it entails in order to keep customers happy and businesses running smoothly. Although a person can carefully choose items online, there are times when items arrive at their destination damaged or may not be what the buyer expected. Size is also an issue since it can be easy to purchase a wrong size on the internet. This can be difficult for a company to handle in-house, so it requires the help of a third-party logistics company to handle the returns. Returns equal nearly $1 billion annually, which is a lot. By outsourcing reverse logistics, many of the limitations are lifted so companies can continue smooth business operations with customers around the world.

What Exactly Does a GCI Logistics Company Do?

Logistics involve the detailed organization and implementation of a difficult operation. Things have to flow between a point of origin and a point of consumption in order for businesses and customers to have their needs met. The resources that are managed can be physical items, or they can be informational.

A logistics company oversees every step of the operation. Common types of logistics that these companies handle include import and export, domestic shipping of large quantities of goods or goods that must comply with strict regulations, international trading, and even disposal or production activities. The logistics services provided by Galaxy Contracting International include:

  • Transportation management
  • Supply chain management
  • Sourcing and procurement
  • Distribution management
  • Warehouse operations

In a nutshell, the logistics company makes things easier for a business that is in need of the services. Where the business may not be able to spare the time or labor involved, outsourcing to another company can help. A lot of pressure is taken off the company, as well.

Logistics Companies Are Moving into the Future

Logistics companies are moving into the future due to historic IT deployments and the implementation of green energy. These two areas are destined to have an impact on supply chain management, as well as how logistics companies deliver goods.

Many third-party logistics companies are investing in GPS, radio-frequency identification technology (RFID), and programs that forecast demand and capacity. There are also trade management applications being developed. The logistics industry is moving toward automated processing because that is what the customers are demanding. At Galaxy Contracting International, the latest technology and methods are used in the areas of:

  • Transportation management
  • Supply chain management
  • Sourcing and procurement
  • Distribution management
  • Warehouse operations

These areas all stem from the demand of clients with a large number of goods that need these goods properly managed as they move from one point to the next. They want the process to be as automated as possible by the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals. This is a reasonable expectation since the rules and regulations surrounding such practices as import and export are so highly involved. By turning to a third-party company that is purely logistics, a large company is able to transport massive amounts of goods.

Logistics Needs Are Increasing in the U.S. Chemical Industry

Because of the energy boom in the U.S., the national chemical production sector is experiencing growth. This means that there is a demand for transportation assets to deliver chemicals across the country and even the world. The trucking industry is currently very healthy, despite the lack of investment in the refurbishment of infrastructure. Through proper logistics, shipping out chemicals in the most effective way can help companies make decisions that will influence their bottom lines and the economy.

However, the chemical industry is just an example of what many companies are facing. They need transportation management, supply chain management, distribution management, proper warehouse operations, and much more. Galaxy Contracting International provides these areas of logistics management to make any industry more successful.

Just to expand on this example, something that the chemical industry is looking at because of its increased productivity is transportation that will allow companies to distribute large quantities of chemicals in the most cost-effective way possible. This has chemical manufacturers looking toward logistics companies to help them. At Galaxy Contracting International, we have companies that specialize in logistics so that chemical manufacturers and businesses within any industry can get their goods from one point to the next as painlessly as possible.