Patrick Koehler, Founder & CEO of KD Global, shares insights on helping European brands expand into North America with a fully integrated, compliance-first market entry strategy.
Welcome to Business Insight Journal, Patrick. We’re delighted to have you. To begin, could you walk us through your professional journey and what led you to founding KD Global?
KD Global started with a simple phone call — not a project, but a moment that sparked an idea. A private equity firm in Germany reached out asking for insights on how a well‑known toy brand, the Toniebox, might approach the U.S. market. I didn’t work with them; I simply shared some suggestions. But that conversation planted a seed.
At the same time, I kept hearing German founders on podcasts say, “International expansion is next for us,” yet most had no idea how to start. They had strong brands, great products, and ambition — but no roadmap.
I realized the problem was not creativity or product quality. The problem was the operational, regulatory, and logistical complexity of entering the U.S. – KD Global was created as the solution: a one‑stop shop for U.S. market entry. Fast, reliable, and complete
The KD Global–Meet The People (MTP) partnership offers a 360° solution combining import management, logistics, creative, and e-commerce. In your experience, what are the most common mistakes European businesses make when trying to enter the U.S. and Canadian markets without this type of integrated approach?
The common mistake is assuming what worked in Germany will work in the United States. Wrong market, wrong assumptions. Many founders also overspend early — forming a U.S. entity, hiring too quickly, signing leases — before validating demand. With KD Global and MTP, brands follow a structured, strategic path: no immediate U.S. entity needed, no premature hiring, just smart learning and scaling.
You’ve said, “As the import company of record, we simplify inbound logistics first — then add warehousing, fulfillment, distribution, FDA support, and insurance — so European brands can operate confidently while MTP drives demand.” Can you expand on how this end-to-end model reduces friction for brands?
We are the one‑stop shop — hence our motto: RELAX and SELL. KD Global handles importer‑of‑record duties, logistics, warehousing, fulfillment, compliance, insurance, and marketplace readiness. MTP drives awareness and creative strategy. Brands stay focused on product and innovation while receiving U.S. ‑specific data and insights to refine their approach.
Many European companies underestimate the operational complexity of North American expansion. What do you believe are the most overlooked regulatory or logistical barriers they face early on?
Companies underestimate how big the U.S. truly is. Germany fits into the U.S. roughly 27 times. Shipping costs are higher, delivery windows wider, and consumer expectations faster. Add stricter customs enforcement and tighter FDA oversight under the current administration. Brands need a reliable import partner who can speak with customs or FDA directly. That’s why we say: relax and sell — we handle the rest.
KD Global plays a uniquely hands-on role in supporting brands through compliance and import responsibility. How do you ensure companies stay protected and fully aligned with U.S. regulations?
Before onboarding a brand, we run full compliance checks. For food and beverage: Food Facility Registration, Nutrition Facts Panels, FSVP. For cosmetics: MoCRA, U.S. labeling rules, Responsible Person obligations.
KD acts as the Importer of Record — meaning we take responsibility and fully insure products under our umbrella. I always say: we have skin in the game. This gives international brands peace of mind, especially those worried about the U.S. legal environment.
With consumer expectations around speed, transparency, and reliability at an all-time high, how does KD Global help international brands compete with established U.S. players?
KD Global is boots on the ground. International brands instantly gain a U.S.‑based team, real‑time customer service, modern fulfillment systems, and a trusted Atlanta warehouse. We also work with local U.S. brands in Walmart and Sephora, giving international clients the same expertise. U.S. consumers trust brands more when products ship quickly from a U.S. location.
The partnership highlights the importance of demand generation paired with operational readiness. How do you see creative strategy and supply chain strategy working together more closely in the future?
Today’s consumer wants a complete journey. Discovery → purchase → updates → delivery. Our software sends order‑processing notifications, packing‑table photos, tracking updates, and delivery confirmations. Transparency builds trust. When creative storytelling from MTP and flawless operations from KD blend, the consumer experience becomes seamless.
As someone who has helped numerous companies scale abroad, what personal strategy or leadership philosophy guides your decision-making in fast-changing global markets?
My philosophy: be nimble, move fast — but with strategy. We aim to anticipate trends rather than chase them. Working with European brands exposes us to innovations before they hit the U.S. People always want what they can’t easily get. Just as Germans want American products, U.S. consumers are drawn to German quality — like Ritter Sport Chocolate, which MTP is helping grow in the U.S.
Most companies don’t fail because of their product — they fail because they underestimate the operational complexity. Our job is to remove friction so great products can win.
What advice would you give to European founders preparing for their first expansion into North America—especially those who underestimate the investment, patience, and structure required?
My advice is simple: work with us. KD Global’s infrastructure paired with MTP’s demand generation provides the safest, smartest, and most scalable path to North America. When executed with consistency, purpose, and passion, it leads to meaningful growth.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share about the KD Global–MTP partnership and how you see the future of international brand expansion evolving?
The world is getting smaller. Social media has erased geographic barriers. The next wave of global brands will come from everywhere. KD Global and MTP plan to support that evolution. Yes, we focus on bringing brands to the U.S. and Canada first — but our 360° model is scalable worldwide. Consumers are becoming global. And so are we.
Patrick Koehler
Founder and CEO of KD Global
Patrick Koehler is an experienced leader and entrepreneur recognized for identifying growth opportunities, simplifying complex commercial challenges, and driving measurable business results. With a strong background in data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and strategic planning, Patrick has hands-on experience owning and scaling marketplace and Ecommerce businesses across multiple categories.
Having lived in the United States for more than 15 years, Patrick brings a uniquely transatlantic perspective to international expansion. As the Founder & CEO of KD Global Distribution, he built a one-stop market-entry platform designed to help European brands launch and scale in North America with confidence. KD Global combines importer-of-record responsibility, FDA and customs compliance, warehousing, fulfillment, marketplace management, and distribution into a streamlined, fully managed ecosystem.
Under Patrick’s leadership, KD Global has become a trusted operational backbone for international companies seeking fast, reliable, and compliant entry into the North American market.
