News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     

February 27, 2006                                                                                  

Contact: Don Canton or Don Larson

(701) 328-2200

Jeff Zent, N.D. Trade Office

(701) 371-5553

DALRYMPLE TO LEAD AUSTRALIAN TRADE MISSION

          BISMARCK, N.D. – Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple will lead a 19-member delegation representing a diverse group of North Dakota businesses on a 10-day trade mission to Australia beginning March 2. The group will seek to forge new business relationships and expand global sales. They will return on March 12.

          “The Lt. Governor’s trade mission to Australia is part of our ongoing effort to increase North Dakota’s export volume and inject new money into the state’s economy,” said Gov. John Hoeven. “Increasing the state’s export value by just one percent brings $30 million into the state, and that means better jobs and a higher standard of living for our citizens.”

          From Sydney, delegation members will fan across Australia, traveling to Melbourne, Brisbane and several other cities where they will meet with companies offering distributorships, joint ventures or other business agreements.

          “We’re looking for a distributor that’s the right fit for us so that we can efficiently broaden our market into Australia,” said Joe Deck, sales manager for Grand Forks-based Tri Steele Manufacturing Co. “The trade mission is a good vehicle for us to meet with a lot of pre-qualified potential partners.”

          Tri-Steele manufactures food-processing and handling equipment including conveyors, wash lines and sorting systems.

          Members of the trade team represent 10 companies from industries identified by the North Dakota Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service as having significant market opportunities in Australia. The companies include manufacturers of agricultural equipment, medical equipment, aircraft parts and environmental systems.

          “Building stronger trade ties with Australia makes economic sense,” said Dalrymple. “Australia is North Dakota’s third largest trading partner.”

          According to Dalrymple, the state’s exports of manufactured goods and processed foods totaled more than $76 million last year – more than three times the value of exports to Australia in 2000, which was $24.26 million.

          “Australia represents a significant growth market for our exports,” North Dakota Trade Office Executive Director Susan Geib said. “It’s one of many international markets that we can do a better job of tapping into.”

          The Trade Office and U.S. Commercial Service began in October the process of identifying market opportunities, pre-qualifying Australian distributors and coordinating the trade mission.

          Companies participating in the trade mission are:

·                 Arrow-Tech, Inc., Rolla

·                 Wil-Rich LLC., Wahpeton

·                 Mid-America Aviation Inc., West Fargo

·                 Pump Systems Inc., Dickinson

·                 Duratech Industries International Inc., Jamestown

·                 Summers Manufacturing, Co. Inc., Maddock

·                 Dakota Growers Pasta Co. Carrington

·                 Tri-Steele Manufacturing Co., Grand Forks

·                 WCCO Belting Inc. Wahpeton

·                 EZ Spot UR, West Fargo

-###-