Last week, I led a trade mission to Mexico to increase our exports, create jobs, and strengthen Wisconsin’s relationship with our second largest trading partner. Producing good paying jobs in Wisconsin is one of my top priorities as Governor. My economic plan, “Grow Wisconsin,” calls for aggressive engagement around the world to sell more high end products made here by Wisconsin workers. These trade missions open doors and strengthen opportunities abroad for the companies that form the delegation.
For example, Badger Meter is a 100 year old Wisconsin company that leads the world in manufacturing water metering equipment. Their success in Mexico has been challenged by Chinese imports that fail to meet the high standards established by the Mexican Water Commission. I was able to press their case not only with the Water Commission, but also with the Secretary of the Economy, Fernando Canales, and the Mexican President, Vicente Fox.
Many of our Wisconsin companies found new customers as a result of this mission. Aquarius Systems, a small company in North Prairie, entered the Chinese market after sales resulting from my trade mission to China. In Mexico, with appointments set up by the Department of Commerce, Aquarius found a customer who is ready to buy new equipment and wants a Wisconsin Aquarius Systems product. Cecor, another Wisconsin company, met with a number of agents and is confident they will identify their first distributors in Mexico as a result of the mission.
Tecumseh Power, with operations in Grafton and New Holstein, made a deal that will double or even triple exports of their engines and transmissions to Mexico.
During this trip, I visited a new Ansul distribution facility selling products in Mexico made in Marinette, a farm using Wisconsin-made equipment and Wisconsin-bred livestock, and a Harley-Davidson dealership celebrating their 75th year of selling Wisconsin-made motorcycles. I renewed our relationship with our sister-state of Jalisco and signed an agreement to further cooperative research and student exchanges between the University of Wisconsin System and the University of Guadalajara.
It’s impossible to know all of the successful sales or new jobs that will grow out of seeds planted during this trip. It’s clear that the large Mexican market and friendly Mexican people will play a growing and vital role in our economic future. With continued hard work, I’m confident that Wisconsin will be ready.
