Mark Carter: Company gets huge response in China
Editor's Note: Mark Carter is vice president of Swanson Industries Inc., a Morgantown-based supplier of hydraulic, machining and plating services. Swanson reached a supplier agreement with a Shanghai company in 2004 and purchased that company in May. This is Carter's eighth trip to China.
BEIJING - The 2007 Beijing Coal and Mining Show opened Tuesday morning with a bang - literally.
After the opening introduction of all of the international dignitaries representing China, Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia and other major mining regions of the world, a surprise fireworks display in front of the stage welcomed everyone to the show.
The loudest welcome came for the introduction of Gov. Joe Manchin and first lady Gayle Manchin. The West Virginia trade delegation spontaneously showed their enthusiasm for a trade mission that has exceeded our expectations, from everyone that I have talked to.
The West Virginia booth is in the front row at the International Hall. This is one of the most- visited trade show booths that Swanson Industries has been part of. Our company came prepared, but by mid-day we were running out of our main Chinese brochures, and every single business card was given out. More brochures were to be delivered by the show opening this morning, and we will have business cards printed and delivered by the same time.
Tom Hutchinson, a Swanson Industries' engineer staffing the booth, told me, "I have been doing trade shows for 40 years. I have never seen anything like this."
West Virginia is clearly recognized as a major leader in the mining industry in the worldwide marketplace. This trade mission has solidified many new relationships for the exchange of business. We knew there were major opportunities for West Virginia companies here, but I don't think anyone realized what a major player West Virginia is, and can be.
So far, Swanson's six-month-old business here in China has generated four new jobs back in Morgantown.
These new jobs have been filled from the West Virginia University College of Engineering, College of Business, and the local workforce. Check back in six years and let's see how it has grown.
We need to build on this base and continue to showcase West Virginia technologies and mining knowledge. The opportunities here are real, and the networks and relationships are growing stronger every day.
Before Gov. Machin's departure on Tuesday, he gathered us all together in front of the booth for a final pep talk. He told us "West Virginia government will do everything it can to help you. We want you to succeed. It is like a coach getting the team ready. Then you say 'Coach, put me in the game.'"
I would like to thank the state Development Office for an outstanding job organizing this mission.
They have given companies like Swanson Industries with 780 employees, 420 of them in the Morgantown area, a chance to continue our growth in the worldwide market.
Coach, put me in the game.