Nine West Virginia businesses have embarked on a mission to expand exports to Mexico. The trade mission is being led by the West Virginia Development Office International Division in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Trade between the United States and Mexico generates more than $1.25 billion a day.
A team from the West Virginia Development Office and executives from nine West Virginia companies arrived in Mexico City yesterday. The mission schedule calls for them to spend three days meeting with qualified prospective clients, agents, distributors and other contacts in their markets. The companies will then fly to separate destinations where their market opportunities are concentrated. Seven companies will fly to Monterrey and two to Guadalajara.
“These types of trade missions have become a very successful part of our strategy to increase West Virginia’s presence in the global market. The missions provide West Virginia business owners with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with international executives who are interested in their products,” said West Virginia Secretary of Commerce Keith Burdette. “We’ve seen great results from these missions in the past, and I look forward to hearing about what they accomplish over the next several days.”
The participating businesses are:
– Eagle Manufacturing, Wellsburg, Brooke County: Safety industrial products
– Leveltek International, Benwood, Marshall County: Stretch leveling machines
– Nippon Tungsten, Barboursville, Cabell County: Repair and regrind services for rotary die cutters for diaper and feminine products production lines
– Rolling Ridge Woods, Parkersburg, Wood County: Hardwood products
– Special Metals Corporation, Huntington, Cabell County: Nickel-based alloys
– Steel of West Virginia, Huntington, Cabell County: Steel products
– Sur-Loc Flooring, Kearneysville, Jefferson County: Plastic flooring solutions for special events
– Tecnocap, Glen Dale, Marshall County: Metal closures for glass, plastic and metal containers
– West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Charleston, Kanawha County: Enrollment in West Virginia public universities
The Development Office helps small- to medium-size West Virginia businesses start or expand their export capabilities. The agency provides services such as export counseling, recommendations for translation services, reliable freight forwarders and participation in trade events.
U.S. exports to Mexico reached $222.6 billion in 2013, making it the second largest export market for U.S. products and services. Mexico is the ninth largest export destination for West Virginia products.
