For most Athens residents, especially students, a May trip to Mexico could result in partying, relaxing and having less money then they left with. But thanks to a trade mission lead by Gov. Bob Taft, a local Athens company might have left Mexico with an economic boost.
The Ohio Business Mission, which took place May 13 to 21, traveled to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey with Taft and representatives from 42 Ohio companies and organizations, including Athens Technical Specialists, Inc., 8157 U.S. Route 50.
Last week, Taft announced that the mission’s first projections were in, and 31 of the 42 companies reported new business as a result of the trip. The new business is projected to generate $97 million for the companies, said Taft spokesman Orest Holubec.
Ted Gilfert, chief executive officer and vice president for Athens Technical Specialists, said the company still is in the process of setting up new business, but they have located customers for their product. The company manufactures electronic test equipment used primarily to test traffic signals.
Gilfert said he would consider the trade mission a success.
“I learned a lot about the Mexican marketplace and their needs and made some significant contacts that I believe will lead to sales for the company and modes of making profit one way or another, either importing or exporting,” he said.
Taft acts as a sales representative for the companies and Ohio on these missions, Holubec said. Having the governor there can help businesses meet with high-level executives and not just staff.
Gilfert said the state and federal government did a great job on the trip.
“The support we received on the trip was very good,” he said. “Especially their participation setting up appointments and setting up interpretation.”
Holubec said Taft goes on about one trade mission a year and, though the next location and time has not been chosen, Taft wants to continue to expand Ohio business throughout different parts of the world.
“The governor thinks all trade missions are successful,” Holubec said. “Anytime you create export opportunities and new jobs in Ohio is a success.”
Gilfert said if he had the chance to participate in another trade mission in the future, he would consider it.
“It doesn’t all happen with one trip and one contact, it takes a series of contacts it’s s process you need to go through,” he said. “I’m not ready to go on another (trade mission) tomorrow, but if I get the Mexican business in place I might consider another trip.”
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Matt Hutton
