Mexican trade mission boosts business

Participating companies were: Foster Manufacturing Co. and JRI Inc. of Springfield; L&P Machine Products of Carthage; Beehler Corp. of Mountain Grove; Conklin Roofing Systems of Grandview, represented by Aahad International; and Koch Equipment LLC, Priority Logistics Inc. and Marleon International, all of Kansas City. North Pacific Co., based in Portland, Ore., but representing five hardwood mills in Missouri, also went on the trip.

“Missouri has greatly expanded its presence in the global marketplace,” Steinhoff said in a news release. “We will continue to do everything we can to facilitate trade and strengthen relationships with businesses and government officials in Mexico which enhances job growth and opportunity for Missouri.”

Missouri set a record in 2006 with $12.8 billion in sales to 191 different countries around the world. International sales by Missouri companies increased by 22.1 percent or $2.4 billion in 2006, compared to the previous high of $10.4 billion in exports set in 2005. Mexico was one of the state’s top 10 export recipients in 2006.

All nine companies reported positive results from the trip, which has either resulted in sales, pending sales, strategic alliances or established distribution relationships. North Pacific has received an estimated $150,000 of new orders for Missouri hardwoods as a direct result of the trip.[[In-content Ad]]