Protecting a brand name when entering new markets

We sell kitchen appliances under our own brand and will start exporting to three new countries next year. A distributor warned us that someone might register our trademark there before we do.

We are considering an international registration and checking whether our logo and name have conflicts in each market. Costs add up quickly, so we are prioritising the countries with the highest sales potential. What steps have you taken to protect your brand abroad, and did you ever face a dispute with a distributor over ownership?