Nine Michigan companies travel to Mexico to expand export opportunities, create jobs

Business leaders from nine Michigan companies will travel to Mexico next week to meet with prospective partners, distributors and customers to increase export opportunities.

LANSING, Mich. – Business leaders from nine Michigan companies will travel to Mexico next week to meet with prospective partners, distributors and customers to increase export opportunities. 

The trade mission, taking place February 25-March 3, is being led by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s International Trade Program.

Since its inception in 2012, the international trade program at the MEDC has worked with Michigan companies to support for than $2 billion in export sales and 9,556 jobs across the state. 

“As a developing global player and our second-largest trade partner, Mexico is an important and viable market for a wide range of products and services,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Jeff Mason. “This trade mission will open doors for these companies by helping them identify and enter into new relationships, ultimately growing their businesses and bringing more and better jobs to Michigan residents.”

Delegates from this latest export mission will attend customized business-to-business meetings with prospective customers and business partners in Mexico City and Monterrey. Participants will also attend networking events and receive logistical support from MEDC’s Mexico Trade Office.

The participating companies from Michigan are:

AMBE Engineering (Northville) – Consulting services in automotive engineering, manufacturing, quality and engineering

Challenger Communications, LLC (Albion) – Manufacturer of satellite dish antennas for the broadcast industry, government agencies and military markets

Cross Technologies, Inc. (Westland) – Manufacturer of highly specialized chemicals designed for the metal, rubber, urethane and plastics industries

Extol, Inc. (Zeeland) – Supplier of high-quality, standard and custom plastics-joining equipment

McKeon Products, Inc.(Warren) – Provider of innovative hearing protection, sleep masks, ear dryers and more

National Filters, Inc. (Harbor Beach) – Manufacturer of industrial filtration specializing in hydraulic filter cartridges 

Poly Flex Products, Inc. (Farmington Hills) – Manufacturer of plastic injection molding, rubber products, transfer molding and more

RLT and Associates (Shelby Township) – Supplier of packaging, material handling and storage/warehousing solutions for the auto, aerospace and defense industries

Superior Business Solutions (Troy) – Manufacturer of labels, tags, forms, ribbons and lean manufacturing visuals for OEMs and support tier companies

“Challenger Communications has benefitted greatly from the assistance of the MEDC's International Trade Program. The grants Challenger has been awarded have helped to promote the Challenger brand and products to international customers via trade missions and trade shows,” said Challenger Communications Director of Marketing Jill Reschke. “We look forward to attending the Mexico trade mission – our second MEDC-supported mission – and see the trip as an invaluable opportunity to reinforce existing relationships and build new ones.”

In 2017, Michigan export sales totaled more than $12.5 billion to Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is up from $12 billion in 2016. Companies participating in MEDC International Trade Services reported export sales of $144.5 million to Mexico in FY17. 

Export sales totaled $606 million in fiscal year 2017, surpassing the goal of $575 million. This puts the International Trade program-to-date total facilitated export sales at more than $2 billion. In fiscal year 2017, the program allocated more than $1.5 million in STEP incentives to 268 Michigan companies. Top reported countries for export sales include Mexico, China, Canada, and the UK. 

Chaired by Gov. Rick Snyder, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers unites the chief executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec and Wisconsin. The governors and premiers work as equal partners to grow the region’s $6 trillion economy and protect the world’s largest system of surface fresh water.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.