Addison-Clifton: Wisconsin-based global trade consulting firm expands reach in China

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Evan Zeppos

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Addison-Clifton will Open New China-Based Subsidiary in Ningbo

Brookfield, Wis. – Addison-Clifton, a Brookfield-based company specializing in global trade compliance solutions, today announced plans to expand its global footprint by establishing a new subsidiary in the port city of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. The City of Milwaukee and the City of Ningbo entered into a formal sister-city relationship in 2006.

The new operations in Ningbo will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Addison-Clifton which has serviced its clients from its office in Shanghai, China since 2004. Under the name Addison-Clifton Business Consulting Ningbo Co. Ltd., the new subsidiary will extend the firm’s ability to provide professional global trade advisory services to both U.S. companies looking to enter markets in Asia, as well as Chinese clients exploring business opportunities with American firms. China is the world’s second largest economy and is the second largest trading partner for U.S. businesses. Ningbo is a city of 7.6 million residents and is the home of the 3rd largest water port in China.

The new subsidiary’s first client is the Foreign Trade and Economic Bureau of the City of Ningbo, which has tasked Addison-Clifton with developing and implementing strategies for identifying high-quality U.S.-origin products for distribution in Ningbo as part of an effort to maximize the cargo traffic thru the Port of Ningbo. The new Addison-Clifton Ningbo operations will also enhance service delivery to existing clients who are advancing their penetration into the China market.

Addison-Clifton assists clients with global trade compliance challenges in China and is the first U.S. firm to open an office in the Ningbo International Trade & Exhibition Center (http://www.ningbomart.com).

“This move allows our company to operate in China with maximum flexibility, helping us to ultimately provide a more seamless business experience for our clients,” said Ulice Payne, Jr., managing member of Addison-Clifton. “Our nine years of experience operating in China has helped us recognize the need to immediately advance our in-market capabilities regarding local regulations, business and trade practices to better serve clients in both the United States and China. This expansion makes us better equipped to help clients with a diverse range of transactional needs.”

“With our existing experience in the Asian market, this new subsidiary and office really places us in a position to bring even more value and expertise to our clients,” said Sissi Shen, assistant director of Asia Market Services for Addison Clifton. “We look forward to further strengthening business partnerships between our two countries.”

“We are pleased to be working with Addison-Clifton on this important assignment,” said Mr. Lida Chai, Deputy Director of the Ningbo Foreign Trade and Economic Bureau. “Addison-Clifton has a track record of success and high standards, and we are pleased to have them as our partner in this important economic development initiative.”

“It is a pleasure to see that Addison-Clifton has joined our business association and we are willing to cooperate together to build up an enterprise collaborative platform,” said Mr. Yao, Chairman of the Enterprise Association of Ningbo.

Payne said Addison-Clifton will host a grand opening event for the new subsidiary in Tianyi Conference Hall at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Ningbo on Sept. 10, 2013. For more information about the event, please contact Diane Valenti, 262-784-0095 or Mandy Cen (mandyc@addison-clifton.com).

Addison-Clifton, LLC

Since 2004, Addison-Clifton has provided global trade compliance advisory services designed to optimize cross border transaction processes, minimize transaction costs and create a competitive advantage for clients. Clients include U.S.-based manufacturers and distributors operating in the automotive, power generation, machine tool, aerospace, consumer and industrial products, food processing, and defense sectors with annual sales ranging from US$20 million to US$60 billion. The firm has offices in Brookfield, Wis., Chicago, Ill. and Shanghai and Ningbo, China.