News Releases for March 2004
March 16, 2004
Contact: Ronald Disrud, (701) 477-6461 or Don Canton, (701) 328-2200
Arrow-Tech, Inc. Joins Lt. Governor On Trade Mission To Taiwan And Japan
ROLLA, N.D. - Ronald Disrud, engineer and radiation safety officer with Arrow-Tech, Inc. in Rolla, will accompany Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple on a trade mission to Taiwan and Japan designed to expand North Dakota’s export opportunities. Gov. John Hoeven organized this mission in response to an invitation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).
Arrow-Tech, Inc. is one of 11 North Dakota businesses departing Friday for a two-week mission to Asia to represent the state’s manufacturing and technology industries, while identifying new markets for its medical equipment.
“Arrow-Tech is the only manufacturer of the direct reading dosimeter in the United States,” said Disrud. “Dosimeters are used to detect gamma and x-ray radiation and used by medical professionals. We are one of a few companies in the world with the capability to manufacture this type of instrument.”
According to Disrud, Arrow-Tech manufactures a low-cost, high-quality instrument that currently competes with similar products throughout the world. “Since our biggest market is emergency or first responders and those involved in emergency management, being able to travel with state officials in order to meet Taiwanese and Japanese officials will be an incredible advantage for our business.”
Medical equipment is ranked eighth among the best prospects for non-agricultural goods and services exported into Taiwan; that growth is estimated to be $8.3 billion. In addition, the U. S. Commercial Service lists medical equipment as a “promising sector” for new product imports to Taiwan.
“With this mission, we are extending our economic development efforts beyond the borders of North Dakota and the United States in order to tap the enormous trade potential of growing markets in Asia,” said Hoeven. “This effort will further enhance the ability of our state’s businesses to diversify our economy, which creates new wealth and higher-paying jobs for our citizens.”
In addition to Arrow-Tech, the delegation will include seven value-added agriculture-related businesses and three other manufacturers from across the state. The delegation will depart North Dakota on March 19 and arrive in Taiwan on March 20. The group will arrive in Japan on March 25 and return to North Dakota on March 28.
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