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Posts Tagged ‘International Trade Resource Center’

Another Aerospace Opportunity

Monday, August 6th, 2012

Last month, several New Hampshire companies doing business in the aerospace industry, including EPTAM Plastics in Northfield and Corfin Industries in Salem, were among more than 1,500 exhibitors taking part in the Farnborough International Air Show in England.

By the close of the 5-day event, orders were placed for 758 aircraft for a total of $72 billion, representing a 53 percent increase from the 2010 show. (The Paris Air Show is the sister event and is held in odd number years.)

NH aerospace companies can soar at Aero Montreal event next month.

The aerospace industry is hot.

Next month, there’s another opportunity for Granite State aerospace-related businesses and it’s closer to home – just north of the border, in Montreal.

Gov. John Lynch will lead the delegation of company representatives Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 to the Aero Montreal Global Supply Chain Summit. Funding from SBA’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant is available to underwrite the $500 cost for qualifying companies, which includes bus transportation to and from Concord to Montreal. The cost to companies that do not fall within the grant guidelines is $750.

Topics and seminars include development of the supply chain for both aerospace and defense and how companies can position themselves; growth management; plant access and transportation to aerospace Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and preferential access to supply chain/procurement representatives.

The deadline to register is this week. For more information, contact Tina Kasim here at the Office of International Commerce, at 271-8444, or email tina.kasim@dred.state.nh.us.

The New Hampshire Connection

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

No matter if you are away for a few hours, a few days or, god forbid, a few years, there’s something nice about running into someone from your world when you are half a world away from home.

So it is here at the Farnborough International Airshow. We are about 3,000 miles away from home and today, it was pretty much like Old Home Day here at our booth.

Sam Campagna and Susan Siegel with the very cool holograph at the Albany International booth this week.

We started the morning with a nice chat at the Albany International booth with Sam Campagna and Susan Siegal. The booth is pretty neat, with a holograph of AI’s use of advanced composite components. They caught us up on construction of the new plant in Rochester (it’s going well) and how business has been this week at Farnborough.

(Sam told us there were times when there was a line of people waiting to speak with the team here about AI’s products and their applications. That’s the kind of information we like to hear.)

A few minutes after that, Jim Geary, the vice president of sales for New Hampshire Ball Bearings in Peterborough circled back to say hello. While NHBB does not have a booth here, Jim was walking around the show to connect and make connections, which, weeks, months or years from now will turn out to be minutes well spent here in England.

Jim wasn’t gone for 10 minutes when Michael Hanrahan, president of Hitchiner Manufacturing in Milford popped in for a few minutes. He, too, spared a few minutes between appointments to connect with us and tell us that business for his company is growing busier.

And as we manned our corner at the airshow, we were amazed at the people, in their travels down the aisles, who stopped and shared their New Hampshire moments – the British man who went to UNH, the woman from India conducting research for her doctorate who visited the Lakes Region while studying in Boston, the Alabama official whose brother lives in Concord, the caterer who remembers stopping at a New Hampshire rest area (and OK, the liquor store) enroute to summer camp in Maine.

What do these connections have to do with being at an international airshow? It’s an obvious, if not fond and nostalgic way to begin a conversation and talk to people from all over the world about the things that are special about New Hampshire. It has been a good way to introduce our colleagues sharing the booth to these new connections and who knows? Maybe one of these folks will want to come back and bring his or her business here.

Back to our booth, the two gentlemen who were politely waiting for their boss to finish a meeting a few steps away said they had never been to New Hampshire, but know the story from the movie What About Bob (when Lake Winnipesaukee, for purposes of filming it, was “moved” to Virginia).

Their boss, however, was very familiar with the Granite State.

“My wife and I honeymooned in Sugar Hill 36 years ago,” said Gov. Robert F. McDonnell of Virginia. “We have many fond memories of New Hampshire.”

We don’t have much swag to give away, but we gave the him a magnet for his refrigerator, which reads ‘Live Free or Die.’

It also invites him to expand his company to New Hampshire.

Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

Division of Economic Development

 

Enduring Fascination of Flight

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

Three thousand miles from and five hours ahead of New Hampshire, the Farnborough International Air Show is open for the second day. Noisy and exciting, the trade show is a global showcase for the aerospace industry and the Granite State is a part of it all.

Thanks to a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant, Corfin Industries of Salem and EPTAM Plastics of Northfield are joined by other aerospace and defense companies from Maine and Vermont in our own Best of New England booth and, may we say, holding our own with the presence of larger states who are touting their industries.

At the opening ceremony Monday in front of the US Pavilion, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez spoke of the critical importance of aviation to the economy, noting that it contributed $86 billion in export sales to the US economy and a positive trade balance of $47 billion.

For our two manufacturers joining us on this trade mission, Farnborough is a chance for them to connect and make connections globally, which will lead to orders for their products and services, keep their companies strong and their businesses reaching new heights.

The sun is out today in Farnborough. The morning’s shift of airplanes and preparation for aerial displays is drowning out conversation.

It’s a pretty good day.

Throughout the day, we’re posting updates and photos on our Facebook page.

So come fly with us.

 

 

Take a STEP into Exporting

Monday, June 4th, 2012

The global market for aerospace and defense industry products made right here in New Hampshire is heating up.

             At the same time, the state’s Office of International Commerce has a key ingredient for businesses looking to take advantage of overseas opportunities – grants to help them make that leap.

            Investing some time and using the funding to check out what the world has to offer can have these businesses flying high and landing products around the globe.

            The OIC received a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant that can help small and medium sized companies serving the aerospace and defense sectors cover the cost of market research overseas.  For eligible companies, these grants, provided in partnership with US Commercial Services, can save up to $700, as they begin the process of marketing their product in foreign markets and screening the responses.

            “We know there is an intimidation factor,” said Tina Kasim, program manager for the OIC. “We know that some of the regulatory aspects for many exports are a barrier for companies. But now is the time for many of them to jump into the overseas market and there is financial help available to make that happen.”

            In 2011, aerospace components were the ninth largest commodity exported from New Hampshire to countries around the world. Trade missions from China, Turkey and Taiwan to the Granite State in the past month illustrate the interest there is in products made here.

            “They look here, specifically, for US-made products and they know that New Hampshire is on the leading edge of new technology,” Kasim said.

            The assistance available, and underwritten by the STEP grant, provides individualized research on the markets where a company’s product is in demand.

            “We have the money for market research specifically for aerospace and defense,” she said. “This STEP grant for these sectors does the initial ground work for the companies, like determining whether certain countries have the right market for those components and products, what the competition looks like and a look at local regulations there and how it affects companies here.”

            Despite a soft global economy over the past year, New Hampshire companies that export have been doing well.

            “During our economic downturn, companies and manufacturers looked overseas to secure and diversify their markets,” Kasim said. “In many cases, this enabled them to retain their workforce, if not create more jobs right here at home.”

            For more information about how the STEP grant can help your business, contact Kasim at 603-271-8444 or tina.kasim@dred.state.nh.us or Justin Oslowski of the US Department of Commerce at Justin.Oslowski@trade.gov or 603-953-0210.

Shaheen Announces Grant to Help Small Businesses Increase Exports

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that New Hampshire will receive $299,493 to help more small businesses increase their exports by reaching new foreign markets. The funding comes from the Small Business Administration’s State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) grant program, which was created by the Small Business Jobs Act, legislation Shaheen helped craft as a member of the Senate Small Business Committee. 
 
“Exports represent a tremendous potential for growth for small businesses in the United States, and we need to do more to help them reach foreign markets, so that they can grow and create jobs,” Shaheen said. “This grant is well-tailored to New Hampshire’s economy because it will help more businesses reach two fast-growing markets, China and India, while also encouraging more export growth in aerospace and defense.”

The STEP grant will enhance the state’s International Trade Resource Center (ITRC) efforts to help small businesses in New Hampshire prepare for new markets, comply with trade regulations, access export financing, and attend trade missions. With this grant, the ITRC will create specialized programs to focus on foreign markets that have the highest growth potential and industries that have the greatest and most immediate ability to compete successfully in the world marketplace. 
 
“We are thrilled that the New Hampshire business community will be able to benefit from this grant which is dedicated to helping local companies maximize their opportunities abroad,” said New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. “At a time when demands for exports are at an all-time high for our small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, this grant will allow us to provide assistance in key areas of need. We commend Senator Shaheen, Governor Lynch and all of our partners including the New Hampshire offices of the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce for their commitment to helping New Hampshire businesses gain access to the international marketplace.”
 
“The SBA is thrilled to support the State of New Hampshire’s already successful export efforts,” said Jeanne A. Hulit, regional administrator of the SBA.  “The President has set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years.  New Hampshire is already leading the country with the highest percentage growth in exports in 2010.  This grant will further help New Hampshire’s small businesses export their products and services, creating new jobs.  We commend Senator Shaheen for her support for including the STEP grants as a key part of the Jobs Act.”

The STEP program was designed to support the efforts of state and local export assistance programs. These programs help small businesses overcome obstacles that stand in the way of accessing foreign markets, such as a lack of expertise or resources. At a recent Small Business Committee field hearing on small business exporting, Shaheen heard from several small businesses that have relied on the expertise and assistance of the ITRC to grow their businesses through exporting. The program was originally conceived of in the Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2009 (S.2862), which Shaheen supported and which was later folded into the Small Business Jobs Act.

A member of the Senate Committee on Small Business, Shaheen has consistently worked to aid small companies in reaching foreign customers.   In August, she hosted a Small Business Committee field hearing in Manchester with U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to examine ways to help small businesses export.  In January, Shaheen held a pair of roundtable discussions with New Hampshire small business owners on the federal resources available to help small businesses export with Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg.
 
In New Hampshire, exporting has become an increasingly important part of the state’s economy.  Last year, New Hampshire companies set a state record for international sales and ranked first among all states in export growth, increasing their exports by $1 billion.  In a difficult economic climate, this new revenue has provided a critical boost to many New Hampshire businesses.

International Trade Session Scheduled for October

Friday, September 16th, 2011

In partnership with the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Evolutions in Business, the International Trade Resource Center (ITRC) will hold a seminar, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Overview and Licensing Issues, on Tuesday, October 18 from 9am to 3:30 p.m. at ITRC’s offices at 172 Pembroke Road in Concord.

This seminar is a must for any business that currently exports defense-related goods or plans to do so in the future as it will be a comprehensive review of export licensing considerations for weapons and other defense-related products. Export compliance officers, freight forwarders, international sales and marketing staffs, international customer service, engineers and technicians, and purchasing and supply management are encouraged to attend as it’s not always obvious what items and technical data fall under ITAR.

The seminar will cover a variety of ITAR licensing issues including the products and activities subject to ITAR; registration requirements, the types of ITAR licenses available and the license review process and exemptions; US Munitions List (USML), dual-use products, re-exports and transfers, penalties for ITAR violations and recent updates to the regulations. Attendees will learn how to classify defense-related articles, technology and services; what the record-keeping requirements are; and about the importance of compliance with restrictions on end-use, end-users and foreign nationals.

Cost for the event is $95 per person. For online payment and registration, go to exportnh.org and click on Calendar of Events, then Event and Seminar Registration. To pay by check, please make it out to SNHU/IIB and mail it to: P.O. Box 1856, Concord, NH 03301.

For more information or questions, contact Ellie White at 603-271-8444 or ellie.white@dred.state.nh.us.

Day-Long Seminar Critical for Exporters

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

On Thursday, September 22 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the International Trade Resource Center (ITRC), in cooperation with Evolutions in Business, will offer a seminar, “Export Controls and Licensing Under the EAR” at its headquarters at 172 Pembroke Road in Concord. This full-day seminar will help participants understand the requirements under Export Administration (EAR) and Export Administration Act, how to determine whether a license is needed, procedures of obtaining a license, as well as other crucial information on navigating and complying with the EAR regulations.

In 2010, a total of approximately 2,200 New Hampshire businesses exported nearly $4 billion in 2010. With new regulations and, it’s critical that businesses that are currently exporting or that plan to do so in the near future know their obligations under these acts. Failure to obtain a license, if one is needed, for either the production or the destination of the product can result in both civil and criminal penalties—and, as an exporter, it is the responsibility of the business to determine if a license is needed.

The seminar will cover topics including: what items and activities are subject to the Export Administration regulations; the steps that need to be taken to determine export licensing requirements for a product; how to navigate the Commerce Control List (CCL); the proper classification of products; when you can export or re-export without a license; export clearance procedures, enforcement and record-keeping; new regulations and updates, and much more.
The seminar will be presented by Jeanette Reed, Vice President and CEO of Evolutions in Business, who has 20 years of experience in advising, training and counseling defense, security and commercial corporations on export and import regulations.

Cost for the seminar is $95 per person. For online payment and registration, go to www.exportnh.org, click on “Calendar of Events”, and then “Event and Seminar Registration.” To pay by check, make it out to SNHU/IIB and mail it to: P.O. Box 1856, Concord, NH 03301. For more information or if you have questions, contact Ellie White at 603-271-8444 or email ellie.white@dred.state.nh.us.

ITRC Plans Environmental Compliance Seminar

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Manufacturers and exporters who ship to the European Union (EU) need to understand the requirements of the RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive to ensure that their products, and their components, comply. The RoHS Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment that contains more than the agreed levels of contaminants.

recyclingThat’s why the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center (ITRC) is offering a seminar, “Product Environmental Compliance: RoHS, REACH and Other Product Environmental Legislation” on Tuesday, May 10th from 9am to 11:30am at its headquarters at 172 Pembroke Road in Concord. 

According to Dawn Wivell, ITRC’s Director, “In 2010, New Hampshire exports to just seven of the 27 EU countries—Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Italy and Spain—totaled more than $826 million dollars. That’s why it’s so important that New Hampshire businesses who export to the EU have the latest information on product environmental compliance.”

During the seminar, attendees will learn about RoHS and the Recast (recent amendments to RoHS that simplify product scope, but add a more stringent process for demonstrating product compliance); REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) for article manufacturers; and best practices for and lessons learned on product environmental compliance.
 
Speakers for the event will be Krista Crotty of Alberi EcoTech and Marie Degulis of Chemserve Lab. Krista Crotty is the Chief EcoGeek and managing partner of Alberi EcoTech, located in Las Vegas, NV. For more than 10 years, she has assisted companies with product environmental compliance globally by teaching workshops, working with companies and speaking at conferences. Marie Degulis is the Business Relations Manager for Chemserve Lab of Milford, NH, a full-service analytical laboratory serving environmental and consumer product clients. Chemserve utilizes the latest technology and current methods, including XRF (x-ray fluorescence) analysis, for CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), RoHS, REACH and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) compliance efforts.

The cost for the seminar is $40 per person. Register online at http://exportnh.org/calendar/registration.aspx. If you prefer to pay by check, please make the check out to SNHU/IIB and mail to: PO Box 1865, Concord, NH 03301. For questions, contact Ellie White at 603-271-8444 or ellie.white@dred.state.nh.us. The International Trade Resource Center, ITRC is a bureau of the State of New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development/ Department of Resources and Economic Development.

Trade Mission from Brandenburg, Germany Arrives in NH

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

A trade mission from the German Federal State of Brandenburg, one of the 16 Länder (states) of the Federal Republic of Germany, arrived in New Hampshire yesterday (May 1). Led by Brandenburg’s Minister-President Matthias Platzeck, the mission includes a trade delegation of Brandenburg and Berlin-based companies who are here to explore potential business opportunities and partnerships in New Hampshire.

german-flagHosts for the event are the Strategic Security Alliance, an organization formed to increase the global visibility of its member firms that provide security services and products; the National Infrastructure Institute, which seeks to improve the utilization, efficiency, and operations and maintenance of the nation’s public infrastructure; and the NH Division of Economic Development’s International Trade Resource Center.

According to Dawn Wivell, Director of the International Trade Resource Center, “Germany is New Hampshire’s fourth most important trading partner, with $223 million in exports in 2010, which is why this trade mission is so important. Like New Hampshire, Brandenburg is especially proud of its leadership role in technology development, academic research excellence and economic stability and growth.”

Brandenburg, whose capitol is Potsdam, has a population of 2.6 million (about twice that of New Hampshire).

The three-day mission began in Portsmouth with a Monday morning orientation meeting; then the two dozen-plus small and medium-sized businesses represented in the Brandenburg trade delegation are scheduled to meet Monday afternoon and Tuesday with approximately 25 New Hampshire companies. These companies are active in a wide variety business segments ranging from security to medical devices to aerospace manufacturing.

“In addition to providing companies on both sides of the Atlantic with the chance to meet and explore prospective partnerships and business opportunities, Mr. Platzeck’s visit will also help strengthen trans-Atlantic partnerships for academic research, technology development and intergovernmental cooperation,” continued Wivell.

Governor Lynch will meet with Minister-President Platzeck and the officials accompanying the delegation, along with Commissioner George Bald of the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development.

The visit will also include a reception at the Harbor Events Center on Tuesday evening, May 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Sponsors for the reception include Dachser Intelligent Logistics, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown, Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center, Centrix Bank, and Strategic Security Alliance.

At the conclusion of their visit to New Hampshire, the Brendenburg delegation will travel to Montreal, Canada, where they will continue their mission through May 7th, before returning to Germany.

Trade Mission to Canada Announced

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Gov. John Lynch announced today that he will lead a trade mission to Canada, giving state economic development officials and New Hampshire businesses the chance to expand business opportunities with the nation’s largest trade partner. 

canada-flag-wavingThe trade mission to Montreal, Quebec, on April 7 and 8, will focus on creating new opportunities by matching New Hampshire businesses with businesses in Quebec, promoting New Hampshire’s business friendly environment and the state’s exceptional tourism offerings.  

“International trade is an increasingly important part of New Hampshire’s economy and I want to ensure we are giving our businesses all the opportunities possible to grow and create jobs,” Gov. Lynch said. “This trade mission will be a great opportunity for New Hampshire businesses to connect with government and business leaders in Canada in an effort to expand their market share.” 

Gov. Lynch will also meet with Quebec Premier Jean Charest, and state officials and business will have the opportunity to meet with provincial officials, connect with business and industry groups and meet with individual businesses.  

Canada is currently New Hampshire’s second-largest trading partner, with cross-border sales increasing 20 percent from 2009 to 2010. Canada is the world’s eleventh-largest economy and the largest trading partner with the United States.  

In 2010, New Hampshire export sales increased more than 40 percent over the prior year, putting New Hampshire first in the nation in terms of export growth.  

Businesses interested in participating in the trade mission should contact International Trade Resource Center Director Dawn Wivell at 271-8444 or dawn.wivell@dred.state.nh.us.