News Releases for March 2004
March 16, 2004
Contact: Art Todd, (701) 253-7411 or Don Canton, (701) 328-2200
Goodrich Corporation Joins Lt. Governor On Trade Mission To Taiwan And Japan
JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Art Todd, contract compliance officer for Goodrich Corporation's Cargo Systems facility in Jamestown, 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).
Goodrich Corporation 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 aircraft equipment.
"There are tremendous advantages for a company such as Goodrich to travel on this trade mission with the Lt. Governor," said Todd. "As a manufacturer of aircraft equipment, including cargo handling systems used on wide bodied aircraft, we are interested in speaking with the aerospace industries in both Japan and Taiwan, as well as aircraft operators who are not currently utilizing Goodrich equipment."
According to Todd, transportation sales to Taiwan from North Dakota were at $51,000 in 2000, and have been increasing significantly ever since. Two separate studies indicate the need for airport and aircraft equipment imports to Taiwan. Sales of transportation equipment from North Dakota to Japan were as high as $800,000 in 2001. Todd cites direct sales contacts as vital to reaching their highest potential in Japan.
"On a trip of this nature we will be able to explore ways to identify new business opportunities, as well as to broaden our cargo system market share and increase spares sales in both countries," added Todd.
"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 Goodrich, 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.
E-mail comments to the Governor
