The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s International Trade Office took five Oakland County based businesses along for the ride on a mission trip to China to explore export and job creation opportunities.
This week, a total of 10 Michigan companies traveled to China to meet with prospective partners, distributors and buyers to increase export opportunities from Michigan to China.
‘China continues to be an increasingly important and viable market for a wide range of products and services,’ said Jennifer Nelson, chief business development officer and executive vice president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. ‘This trade mission will open doors for these companies by helping them identify and enter into new relationships there.’
In 2012, The Michigan Economic Development Corporation developed the Michigan China Center in Shanghai in order to provide opportunities for Michigan companies to enter the Chinese market.
Mission trip attendees will participate in one-on-one company meetings held in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Shanghai.
The meetings include customized appointments with prospective partners, distributors and buyers in each region. Participants will also receive in-country briefings about doing business in China.
‘These Michigan companies, with products ranging from pharmaceuticals to automotive components, will have a unique opportunity to reach new customers in the fastest-growing economy in the world,’ said Nelson.
MEDC’s International Trade Program works to expand export opportunities to more Michigan companies to make sure they are connected with resources to explore new markets, access existing export resources and increase global competitiveness.
In fiscal year 2016, the program facilitated $523.9 million in sales to 121 countries. Since it was re-established in 2011, the program has facilitated $1.5 billion in export sales. This equates to nearly 7,298 Michigan jobs created as a result of those sales.
Oakland County companies
* HP Microsystems Inc., in Rochester Hills: Experience with automotive and aviation electronics, as well as the golf and biomed sectors. It has served many leading brands including General Motors, Ford, Siemens and Kroger.
* Midwest Pharmaceuticals Inc., in Farmington Hills: Pharmaceutical distributor specializing in sourcing pharmaceuticals in short supply for appropriately licensed clients.
* Orion Test Systems and Automation in Auburn Hills: Global supplier of testing solutions for product validation/design validation, end-of-line, laboratory and production test machinery.
* P3 North America, Inc., in Troy: Offers consulting, management, engineering, and testing services.
* OPS Solutions in Wixom: Manufacturer of Light Guide Systems, an augmented reality tool designed to make factory floors smarter, safer and better.
Increased exports
Orion Test Systems and Automation started operations in Shanghai in 2014. It operates an independent office at the Michigan China Center that has seen an increasing need for its products in China over the last year.
‘The 2017 China Trade Mission will allow our team to meet with potential customers from several regions of China and also meet with local vendors,’ said Orion President Rob Pilat. ‘We expect our exports to China to increase substantially by the end of 2018 through cultivating our supply channel during the China Trade Mission.’
