Purdue invites Indiana manufacturers to learn about how to profit from a growing China
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is inviting Indiana manufacturers to learn more about how best to develop opportunities to work with China during an Aug. 2 half-day workshop in Indianapolis.
"Our workshop is designed as a very practical exchange of views with four business development experts from China and senior executives of Indiana firms who have years of experience doing business with the Chinese," said Mark Van Fleet, executive director of Purdue's Global Business Engagement Initiative. "The goal is to give executives from manufacturing firms guidance into developing or strengthening winning strategies in fast-changing China and insights into how best to implement them."
"Building a Winning China Strategy: A Business Workshop for Indiana Manufacturers" will cover two-way trade, investment, protection of intellectual property, joint ventures, dynamics of Chinese negotiation, latest business and economic trends, and responses to specific questions. The workshop is developed for Indiana chief executive officers of mid-sized manufacturing firms – approximately $10 million to $500 million in revenues – who are interested in assessing their current or planned business strategies with China.
It will be held at the College of Technology Aviation Technology Center at 2175 South Hoffman Road in Indianapolis. The registration fee is $150, and more information is available at http://www.conf.purdue.edu/chinastrategy
One of the speakers is Mike Barbalas, president of Goodrich Corp. in China and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. He will talk on "Building Successful Business Ties with China – Lessons from the Field."
The other speakers are:
* Michael Alma, president of Small Pack Energy Solutions and Asia, Ener1 Inc.
* John Anderson, director of Kysosay Global in Shanghai.
* Dwight Nordstrom, president of Pacific Resources International in China.
* Jackie Simmons, partner at Baker Daniels who leads the China practice.
* Chuck Walker, chairman of Univertical in Angola, Ind. Univertical is an Indiana manufacturer with extensive China business.
* Kim Woodard, senior counselor of InterChina Consulting.
Specific cases from recent U.S. companies' experiences will be discussed as well as a sharing of best practices, an objective assessment of risks and rewards, and discussion of realistic strategies, costs and timing, Van Fleet said. Business sectors that will be highlighted include transportation, energy, medical, telecom, food products and others.
The Global Business Engagement Initiative, which is part of Purdue's International Programs office, was launched during the Feb. 25 Indiana Mayoral Roundtable on China. State and local government officials, along with community and business leaders, attended the conference to learn more about using the university to help develop partnerships with China and bring business to Indiana. The initiative is focusing on China, but there are plans to expand to other countries.
Last month, Purdue announced that the Global Business Engagement Initiative partnered with Greater Lafayette Commerce and Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation to develop strategic plans to expand trade and investment with China to stimulate local economic development.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Mark Van Fleet, 765-494-0614, mvanfleet@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists are invited to attend the "Building Business Ties with China -- Lessons from the Field" session presented by Mike Barbalas, president of Goodrich Corp. in China and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Aug. 2. Those interested can contact Amy Patterson Neubert, Purdue News Service, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu