INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SERVICES
Automation Alley’s International Business Services Providing assistance to companies both near & far
Detroit, Michigan
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Business Attraction
Global Trade
Our International Business Center is a home away from home for international companies as they explore opportunities to do business in Southeast Michigan. The center includes ofďŹ ce space with state-ofthe-art communications technology, as well as access to partners who can assist with site selection and introductions to potential business partners and talent to jump-start your business.
Our award-winning trade mission program introduces Southeast Michigan’s small to-medium-size companies to new high-growth markets and opportunities to expand and diversify their product, service and technology offerings abroad. These trade missions are results-driven and have generated more than a half billion dollars in export sales for local companies.
We match international companies to business opportunities in Southeast Michigan.
We match local companies with business partners and customers around the world.
Santiago, Chile
Manzanillo, Mexico
Business Attraction Our International Business Center, located inside Automation Alley Headquarters in Troy, Michigan provides soft landing space for foreign companies to use as a home base while exploring opportunities to do business in Southeast Michigan for up to 90 days. The 3,200-square-foot space includes: • Private Meeting rooms with state-of-the-art communications technology • Open office areas featuring laptop worktables and other business resources
With convenient access to Automation Alley’s International Business Services staff, your company will also receive: • Assistance with site selection to establish permanent operations in the region • Introductions to potential business partners, clients and employees
In 2012, Automation Alley was awarded the National Business Incubation Association’s Soft Landings International Incubator designation. The NBIA designation is given to organizations with special programs or facilities that help companies break into new markets.
Success Story “We could not have chosen a better avenue to take than Automation Alley as our presence in Southeast Michigan ramped up in 2014. Automation Alley assisted not only by providing us with a modern facility to conduct our day-to-day business operations, including conference rooms equipped with state-of-art technology and equipment, but also by providing us with local business connections for everything from office equipment and furniture retailers to new prospective customers and suppliers. Automation Alley’s employees are all top-notch professionals who became like family to us over the last year.” John Bilson Chief Operating Officer Peter-Lacke USA Germany
Michigan:
A great place to do business Michigan is a high-tech powerhouse and a global center for innovation. It’s a place where jobs and business opportunities are on the rise, its home to a diverse and highly skilled workforce and offers an unparalleled quality of life for residents and visitors. Geographically, Michigan is centrally located in North America and international border crossings offer unlimited access to Canada, the state’s largest trading partner. In addition, the Great Lakes are a large source of wind energy and contain 20 percent of the world’s total fresh water— the second-largest supply in the world.
Success Story “It’s not just simply being here with a desk and a chair. It has been a very helpful environment in many ways. Automation Alley opens the opportunity for networking because other members could be potential new customers.” Gianluca Di Stefano President Reply, Inc. Italy
Car Production in Detroit
AUTOMATIONALLEY.COM
Ambassador Bridge
By the Numbers* 400,000 jobs created in the state since 2010 14,000 manufacturing establishments 15 public universities 500,000 workers in the manufacturing industry, including 87,000 engineers and 70,000 R&D professionals $340 billion projected Gross State Product 4,000 defense contractors $55.7 billion in goods exported 15,000 sites available for industrial, office, retail and agricultural use 25,000 degrees earned in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields between 2011-2012
Success Story Detroit River
Detroit Institute of Arts *SOURCE: MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
“Automation Alley has been a huge help for me and for Fooke. Going into a foreign country with a new business, I was given directives, information and help in a manner I didn’t expect. We never expected to be so successful to move into a new office building so quickly.” Matthias Hofmann CEO Fooke USA Germany
Mexico City, Mexico
Success Story “Automation Alley’s Trade Mission to Mexico has been essential in positioning EDSS for growth into the Mexican market. The Automation Alley team provided us with unmatched expertise — preparing our team for cross-cultural communication, offering guidance for our market strategy, and providing resources to work with partners, clients, and the government in Mexico. Thanks to the work of Automation Alley, we had the opportunity to meet with potential partners, clients, and resources to further our efforts in a shorter time period than doing it all on our own.” David Ely President/CEO Energy Design Service Systems (EDSS)
Global Trade
Singapore
Trade Missions:
Expand your business abroad Minimize the red tape associated with international business travel and join an Automation Alley trade mission. Our international business team will work closely with your company to identify trade opportunities and navigate around common hurdles faced by first-time exporters. The future success of your business largely depends upon diversifying your business globally while satisfying the world’s appetite for American goods and services.
Trade by the numbers: • 95.5% of the world’s total population of 7.3 billion consumers reside outside the U.S. • 81.8% of the world’s total purchasing power stretches beyond our nation’s borders
Why join? To date, Automation Alley trade missions have generated more than a half billion dollars in export sales for participating companies. Matchmaking meetings will place you directly in touch with potential end users, agent/distributors, joint-venture partners, technology licensees and key players that you need to know to successfully break into new markets. Attend business receptions and meet with government officials and business leaders, who will share their firsthand insights about the opportunities and challenges of doing business abroad.
Success Story “Current Motor was pleased to participate in a recent trade mission to Chile and Colombia, which was very well organized by Automation Alley and the MEDC. As a result of this mission, Current Motor is negotiating terms with three potential distributors in Chile, and three potential distributors in Colombia. We also were introduced to a large potential customer, a Colombian governmental agency. The trip was a great success and we look forward to participating in more missions.” Lauren Flanagan Executive Chair Current Motor
Havana, Cuba
Puebla, Mexico
AUTOMATIONALLEY.COM
Dubai Air Show, Dubai, UAE
Export Readiness Our international business workshops and seminars are designed to demystify the exporting process for Southeast Michigan’s small to medium-sized companies. Our export readiness programs include pre- and post-trade mission seminars but are not limited to trade mission participants. We also host export workshops for the general business community, focused on the opportunities and challenges of doing business abroad, including cultural idiosyncrasies and acceptable business practices.
Success Story Dubai, UAE
Automation Alley has received both the President’s “E Star” Award (2013) and the President’s “E” Award (2008), the nation’s highest and most prestigious international trade awards granted in recognition of success in promoting U.S. exports overseas while producing new jobs at home.
“Automation Alley’s experience in hosting trade missions was very evident from the beginning. Prior to the trip, the group hosted an informative meeting to prep the attendees on requirements and expectations. As hosts during the trip, Automation Alley did a remarkable job managing the logistics of translators and drivers for each attendee. They ensured we were all well supported while traveling to our meetings, and during the meetings if required.” Vince Hicks Partner Modern Machinery
2675 Bellingham Drive Troy, MI 48083-2044 Phone: 248.457.3200 Toll free: 800.427.5100 Fax: 248.457.3210 info@automationalley.com