Springfield exporters working around SARS outbreak

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The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which appears to be under control in the United States, is wreaking havoc on the economies of Asia and, potentially, Canada. |ret||ret||tab|

But with the global economy making the world an ever smaller place, those countries' problems do pose a concern for local businesses and travelers.|ret||ret||tab|

Local businesses have put some travel plans on hold, but most are hopeful that the crisis will be resolved in the next few weeks.|ret||ret||tab|

According to the World Health Organization as of April 24, there were about 4,400 reported SARS cases worldwide with 263 deaths.|ret||ret||tab|

In the United States, only 37 cases have been reported, and no one has died from the disease.|ret||ret||tab|

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Public health|ret||ret||tab|

Kevin Gipson, assistant director of health for Greene County, said four suspected cases were reported in southwest Missouri, but none of those cases turned out to be SARS. |ret||ret||tab|

Since the development of the disease, many people have called requesting information about it.|ret||ret||tab|

"We have got all kinds of people who have traveled (to Asia) that we talk to, both sick and those that are well. I'm really surprised by the number (of people) that do travel to southwest Asia on business or mission trips," Gipson said. "I don't think there is any panic out there; there's just some concern about SARS especially for international travelers."|ret||ret||tab|

Business Travel|ret||ret||tab|

Due to travel warnings, many local businesses have decided to put their trips on hold. Recent travel warnings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend U.S. citizens, "defer elective or nonessential travel to areas with a large number of SARS cases, including Mainland China and Hong Kong."|ret||ret||tab|

The World Health Organization added Toronto on April 23 to the list of places travelers should avoid. That could have a significant economic impact for Toronto, which is Canada's largest city and its financial center. Canada also is the No. 1 customer for Missouri exports. Mainland China is Missouri's sixth largest customer worldwide.|ret||ret||tab|

Forest W. Lipscomb Jr., president of Indiv, said he and two other employees traveled to China a little over a month ago. Indiv supplies poultry equipment to international markets. |ret||ret||tab|

During the trip, Lipscomb said he received little information on the disease in Hong Kong. |ret||ret||tab|

"I did notice I was given a card, (telling me to) report getting anything like a temperature but it was not explained why I got the card. I didn't think much about it until after I got back home and the scare came and I realized what it was all about," Lipscomb said.|ret||ret||tab|

No one who took the trip with Indiv has developed health problems since their return. The Asian market makes up about 15 percent of the company's sales.|ret||ret||tab|

Lipscomb said not being able to travel to parts of Asia is not hurting his company because communication is still available via telephone and e-mail, but the company still prefers to have personal contact with customers.|ret||ret||tab|

"We've always found that face-to-face meetings are better with customers, but we do have agents to do that same thing. Now, we've just had to put our personal delivery on hold," Lipscomb said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Wait and see|ret||ret||tab|

Paul Mueller Company is also delaying some travel plans. Terry Bushman, president of Mueller's international department, said the company has between $1 million and $2 million in annual sales to the Chinese market. Major products sold include heat exchangers, pure water equipment and thermal storage equipment. Bushman said his company also will cope with the delay by using e-mail and telephone communication.|ret||ret||tab|

"I don't think long term it will impact us because we are selling heavy equipment and a lot of times, it takes a long time to make decisions (on the products); so a little delay will not hurt us too much," Bushman said. |ret||ret||tab|

If the crisis persists for an extended period, however, it could have a greater effect, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Alex Budzinsky, executive vice president of Decorize.com, said his company is watching the SARS epidemic very carefully. Decorize manufactures furniture, accessories and art in southern China. |ret||ret||tab|

"China is a pretty significant player in a lot of manufacturing nowadays in a lot industries, including ours," Budzinsky said. "We are concerned that our people don't get caught up in (health problems) if we can avoid it."|ret||ret||tab|

So far, no cases of SARS have been reported to the Decorize offices, and employees traveling to China expect to return to the region by the end of next month.|ret||ret||tab|

"Right now our plans are to continue to go and do our business. (We will) just be careful and make sure to the extent we can that we don't put ourselves into areas that are hotbeds (for SARS)," Budzinsky said.|ret||ret||tab|

Bob Hoopingarner, vice president of sales and marketing for International Dehydrated Foods Inc. and American Dehydrated Foods Inc., said exports to Asia are not a problem for his companies right now. While some international sales trips have been put on hold, he too is relying on technology to communicate with customers.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are still able to communicate with everybody and maintain the activities that we need to maintain," Hoopingarner said.|ret||ret||tab|

International Dehydrated Foods supplies chicken powder for soups, and American Dehydrated Food supplies an egg powder protein supplement for pet foods.|ret||ret||tab|

"As long as people are eating, and feeding their pets, we really don't anticipate any problems. As far as shipping, nothing has happened that affects our shipping in any way," Hoopingarner said.|ret||ret||tab|

Steve Bender, associate mission director for Baptist Bible College, said BBC has two missionary families in Singapore and one in Hong Kong. While BBC has not received any reports of health problems from overseas, it is encouraging its missionaries to be cautious.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are advising people, unless it is just absolutely necessary to go to Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore, that they should probably not do so at this time," Bender said. "When something like this happens, it does cause concern, but our missionaries are counseled and taught to take basic health precautions."|ret||ret||tab|

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Leisure travel|ret||ret||tab|

Marvin N. McDaniel, owner and president of Carlson Wagonlit/McDaniel Travel, said SARS has reduced the desire for vacation travel in Asia. Travel to Asia was not a large attraction, but now interest is even less.|ret||ret||tab|

"The leisure business is almost nonexistent going to that area of the world since the SARS thing (started)," McDaniel said. |ret||ret||tab|

Sherry Wallace, director of marketing and communications for Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, said airport staff is prepared to deal with any SARS cases, but right now the Springfield airport is not required to screen passengers for the disease when they get off planes.|ret||ret||tab|

"At this time there hasn't been any local impact or any real concern. It doesn't mean that we are not aware of it, but at this point, (we have) no worries, " Wallace said.|ret||ret||tab|

She added that by keeping in close contact with the Health Department, the airport would be able to deal with a SARS situation. |ret||ret||tab|

"If someone showed up from Asia and came to us and said, I am not feeling well,' I am sure we would take universal precautions, as we would with anyone, (using) gloves, masks, etc.; and get that person medical attention as quick as possible," Wallace said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Food industry|ret||ret||tab|

While the New York Times online reported that diners are avoiding Asian restaurants on the East and West coasts, no such unreasonable fears are to be found in Springfield. |ret||ret||tab|

Tony Choe, owner of the East East Oriental Market and The Epicurean, said there has been no change in customers' attitudes at his establishments. |ret||ret||tab|

He added that if the problem continues, he may see an increase in the prices of certain products he sells, but for now he is not worried. |ret||ret||tab|

Michael Ngo, owner of two Jade East restaurants, Jade Dynasty, Jade Garden and Copper Station, said his restaurant business has dropped somewhat recently, but he believes it has to do with the time of year, not SARS. |ret||ret||tab|

"I guess because we haven't had anybody have that kind of sickness yet over here, it's not that big of worry for the people," Ngo said.|ret||ret||tab|

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