Many importers are unaware that they can grow quickly and efficiently with a more efficient financing solution than the bank. ”The solutions we create for importers take a lot of the headache out of the business owner, while providing a deep understanding of the entire supply chain and the challenges they face,” explains Yossi Shekler, CEO of the financing company Tomaam
“Importers are faced with a reality where they have to do everything – take care of advertising, bring in customers, communicate with the customs broker, choose a shipping company, make sure that the goods have arrived at the port, take care of collection, make payments to suppliers, track shipments and cash flow – and in the midst of all this, also make sure that the business grows and prospers. We say, “Come and let us take care of the financing and logistics side, we will take care of all this headache – and you can focus on running your business,” says Yossi Shekler, CEO of Tomaam Maimon, which specializes in financing and logistics solutions for importers.
Toma’s control over all links in the import chain comes from years of experience. Toma was established in 1974 by the Kibbutz Movement (TKAM), with the aim of serving the kibbutz enterprises with financing and service for their purchases abroad.
“We have been supporting importers for nearly 45 years,” says Shekler. In fact, there is no company in Israel that knows this field on such a deep level. Furthermore, we understand how critical the financial aspect is for an importer’s business in order to grow and prosper. Tomaam is the oldest non-bank financing company in Israel, and we tailor unique financing solutions for importers based on our deep knowledge of the business.”
“In 2013, when the kibbutz crisis ended, we decided to offer our services to the private market. We thought to ourselves that if it was good for kibbutz clients, it would provide great value to organizations and companies in the economy. The company grew in a very precise and calculated manner. We did it without advertising. We turned to financial advisors who know their clients’ businesses and are aware of their financing problems, and we showed them that we know how to provide service from A to Z.”
What does service from A to Z mean?
“Our services include everything related to logistics and financing. We have financing services for importers, shipping services, and customs clearance. Everything under one roof, based on familiarity with their business and a deep understanding of the service they need to grow.”
“We collect the goods from the supplier, handle transportation to the port abroad, shipping to Israel, customs clearance, the necessary handling until the goods reach the customer, payment for the goods, extension of the supplier’s credit days, handling letters of credit and everything related to the import process.”
“This is a very unique company, there is no other company like it in Israel that provides all the services to importers. We have the experience and technological capabilities to operate this complex procedure.”
“The bank looks back, we look forward”
What are the challenges that importers encounter in terms of financing?
“When an importer comes to the bank and requests a loan aimed at increasing his business activity – for purchases from overseas suppliers, inventory, finished products, raw materials, new machines, and so on, to purchase new machines, raw materials, cars for employees, to pay salaries – the bank looks back and examines what the importer has done so far.
“We do exactly the opposite – we look ahead, and examine where the importer will grow. We are a non-banking company with an expanded license, and can provide financing beyond the banking framework in accordance with the rapid growth needs of the business, to allow the importer to grow.”
Importers have the option of deducting checks. Isn’t that enough?
“Our solution is more convenient, cheaper, and allows the importer to plan long-term business activities according to the business’s business capabilities and not according to the number of checks he has. We will give him the financing according to his goods, and if he is able to grow further, we will help him grow and not stop him.”
“We are interested in giving our customers smart solutions according to their needs. Flexible solutions that change as the business develops, financing frameworks that will give them peace of mind and direction for strategic planning and investment in the business, and not a one-time Band-Aid of cash in exchange for a check. We have the ability to provide non-bank financing services, which allows us to provide more sophisticated and appropriate solutions, and this is our main advantage: even if the importer arrives without a single check, but with a working business, we will know how to tailor a framework for him.”
“Living the market, with your finger on the pulse”
From your experience, are importers encountering new challenges in the post-Corona period?
“Right now, the challenges are rising prices in the world, inflation, the rising cost of transportation from abroad. These are the things that worry them. We know how to tailor the suit and accompany it even in difficult times. For example, during the Corona period, we knew how to support high demand for products that customers had to purchase due to the situation, and the banks did not respond to them.”
“For example, because everything was delivered home as take-away, there was a huge demand for food packaging. But in terms of financing, everything came to a standstill during the Corona period. An importer who needed to increase his credit limit to purchase packaging did not receive a response from the bank. We understood that purchasing packaging products would lead to business growth and supported our clients who needed an increase in cash flow for this purpose, at a time when banks were tightening their belts.”
“We live the market, and with our finger on the pulse: we are in the ports, in the airports, we live the entire world of imports. And that’s why we give customers what they need, before they even know they need it,” concludes Sheckler.
