Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association, returned recently from a trade mission to Chile and Colombia, helping to facilitate business connections for eight local companies.
The trade mission included stops in Santiago, Chile and Bogota, Colombia, two of South America’s fastest growing markets for U.S. exports. Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley joined the mission, which was funded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Trade mission participants attended business meetings and ambassador receptions and met with local government officials and potential business partners as well as buyers and end users of their products, services or technologies.
Participating companies included:
1. Coe Press Equipment Corporation (www.coepress.com)
2. Current Motor Company (www.currentmotor.com)
3. Dell Marking Systems (www.dellid.com)
4. Hamilton Engineering (www.hamiltonengineering.com)
5. Hosco Fittings LLC (www.hosco.net)
6. Littlite (www.littlite.com)
7. Magnetic Products Inc. (www.mpimagnet.com)
8. OU INC (www.oakland.edu/ouinc/)
Lauren Flanagan, executive chair of Ann Arbor-based Current Motor, an electric vehicle and solar charging station manufacturing company, said Automation Alley’s trade mission to Chile and Colombia has helped the company expand its footprint in Latin America.
“Current Motor was pleased to participate in a recent trade mission to Chile and Colombia, which was very well organized by Automation Alley and the MEDC,” Flanagan said. “As a result of this mission, Current Motor is negotiating terms with three potential distributors in Chile and three potential distributors in Colombia. We also were introduced to a large potential customer, a Colombian governmental agency. The trip was a great success, and we look forward to participating in more missions.”
“Time and time again, we see that these missions yield a high return on investment for small to medium-sized companies and allow them to explore opportunities to expand and diversify into high-growth markets,” said Noel Nevshehir, director of international business at Automation Alley.
To date, Automation Alley has led 170 local companies on 24 trade missions to locations around the globe, resulting in nearly a half billion dollars ($472 million) in export sales for those companies.
Based on these results, Automation Alley has received both the President’s “E Star” Award (2013) and the President’s “E” Award (2008) for export service, the nation’s highest and most prestigious international trade awards granted in recognition of success in promoting U.S. exports overseas while producing new jobs at home.
In addition to matchmaking abroad, Automation Alley hosts pre-mission workshops to educate participants about the opportunities and challenges of doing business around the world, including cultural idiosyncrasies and acceptable business practices.
Preparations are currently underway for Automation Alley’s next trade mission. The international business team will travel with a new group of companies to Mexico, Sept. 20-25. Interested companies are eligible for the State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP). Qualified companies can receive reimbursement of 50 percent of allowable expenses for export related activities. Please inquire with Automation Alley.
For more information, visit automationalley.com, or to register for an upcoming Automation Alley trade mission, contact Automation Alley International Business Services Supervisor Lisa Lasser at 248-457-3283 or lasserl@automationalley.com.
Source: Automation Alley