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Businesses in region learn about opportunities worldwide through program
By GRETCHEN ROKOSKY
Era Correspondent
ST. MARYS -- North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission has been helping bring Pennsylvania businesses to the world for nearly a decade through its import/export program.
Every year for the past nine years, representatives from around the world come to the region where businesses are able to network and learn more about opportunities in various nations.
Russ Fuellner, national sales director for International Cartridge Corp., was at the program for the second year. Last year, he developed contacts and hope to do the same this year. However, this year, he was there to discuss import opportunities with several nations, including Chile, Brazil and the Czech Republic.
"I am working on imports this year because of the shortage of components of ammunition," Fuellner explained Friday.
International Cartridge Corp. is the only non-lead and frangible ammunition manufacturer in the country. Because of the increasing demand for munitions for military, law enforcement and general use, the company is looking to expand its business by adding another 8,000-square-foot building in the near future. This new building will manufacture standard ammunition. They have also worked with NCRPDC and their loan program.
Sergio Sanchez, DCED trade representative for Chile, has been in the program for three years.
"Our mission is to assist Pennsylvania companies in finding new opportunities for exporting their services or products into the Chilean market," Sanchez said. He explained it was like "introducing young men and young ladies. Once they are happily married, we step away. We don't even request to be invited to the wedding, just let us know it happened." He said he enjoys his job very much.
Some of the many services provided through the program include: helping determine marketability of product, provide insight and analysis on market entry strategy, identifying trade events, serving as a liaison between Pennsylvania companies and relevant organizations, providing competitive analysis, providing support at overseas events, providing basic information and reports on overseas companies as well as reviewing marketing for target markets.
If a business comes in to access the program, they will first analyze the product and look at the reasons for wanting to export. Then they will look into the rules and regulations of the country the business is interested in. The representatives know the markets and what sells there.
Sanchez said there are only two determents to the program. That is when Pennsylvania companies won't respond to the trade needs.
"It's very discouraging," he said. "The other downside is the difficulties we have found making companies realize how important communication is in business. Many companies wait too long to respond. I can understand having their hands full, but they can at least shoot an e-mail."
Pete O'Neil, executive director of the office of international business development for DCED in Harrisburg, said it is a wonderful program. Since last year, there have been three new offices added – Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and they are working on getting an office in Moscow.
There is no cost to the businesses to use the program, except for travel expenses. It is all supported by tax money through the Governor's support of the program. For qualifying companies, the Center for Trade Development (CTD) offers several different financial products to assist an export-ready Pennsylvania company. Matching grants are provided to companies for projects such as trade mission participation, trade show exhibition and international marketing. Loans are also available to qualifying firms at attractive rates for working capital and accounts receivable financing.
For more information contact Perneski at the North Central offices in Ridgway.
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