Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association, returned recently from a trade mission to Mexico, helping to facilitate business connections for 14 local companies.
Automation Alley’s trade mission program allows small and medium-sized businesses in Michigan to explore opportunities to expand their business abroad. The Mexico trade mission included stops in Mexico City, Puebla, Querétaro, Guanajuato and Monterrey.
Companies that joined Automation Alley on this latest trip to Mexico included:
Caster Concepts, Inc [www.casterconcepts.com] (Albion)
Chrysan Industries, Inc. [www.chrysanindustries.com] (Plymouth)
Clayton & McKervey [www.claytonmckervey.com] (Southfield)
Duggan Mfg [www.dugganmfg.com] (Shelby Township)
Energy Design Service Systems (EDSS) [www.edssenergy.com ] (Whitmore Lake)
Flexible Automation, Inc. [flexautoinc.com] (Burton)
Harry Major Machine [www.harrymajormachine.com] (Clinton Township)
Integrated Fabric Resource [www.ifrinc.com ] (Zeeland)
KC Jones Plating Co. [www.kcjplating.com] (Warren)
Modern Machinery [www.modernmachineinc.com] (Beaverton)
Panagon Systems, Inc. [www.panagonsystems.com] (Macomb)
Robotic Industries Association [www.robotics.org] (RIA) (Ann Arbor)
US-Mexico Consulting [www.usmxconsulting.com] (Royal Oak)
Vantage Plastics [www.vantageplastics.com] (Standish)
Kirk Blair, Harry Major Machine (HHM) executive of business development and planning, said the mission exceeded the company’s expectations, delivering reputable choices in sales representation, distributors, and partners for manufacturing and local sourcing.
“I have been in business development and planning for machinery and equipment suppliers for 20 years, trying to and successfully creating the very same objectives as Automation Alley – business acceleration,” Blair said. “The success of this mission was correlated to our ability at HMM to describe the business to the Michigan Mexico Center and Automation Alley, after which the team at-large was able to accelerate our value-proposition into the Mexico market. If you know your business, and you know your objectives, Automation Alley delivers an exceptional business acceleration experience.”
David Ely, president and CEO of Energy Design Service Systems (EDSS), said Automation Alley’s trade mission to Mexico was essential in positioning EDSS for growth into the Mexican market.
“The Automation Alley team provided us with unmatched expertise, preparing our team for cross-cultural communication, offering guidance for our market strategy, and providing resources to work with partners, clients, and the government in Mexico,” Ely said. “Thanks to the work of Automation Alley and the Michigan Mexico office, we had the opportunity to meet with potential partners, clients, and resources to further our efforts in a shorter time period than doing it all on our own.”
To date, Automation Alley has led 184 local companies on 25 trade missions to locations around the globe, resulting in $507 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.
Automation Alley trade missions are supported in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Automation Alley trade missions include international airfare, five-star hotels, transportation, matchmaking meetings, business briefings, welcome receptions and tours.
Next up for Automation Alley is a trade mission to Dubai Airshow, Nov. 6-13. Interested companies should ask about the State Trade and Export Program (STEP) to find out if they qualify for funding that can be applied toward the cost of the mission.
The deadline to register for Automation Alley’s trade mission to the Dubai Airshow is Oct. 26. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Lasser at 248-457-3283 or lasserl@automationalley.com.
Source: Automation Alley