April 30, 2013, MACHESNEY PARK, ILLINOIS - A new program to help local companies identify qualified global partners and grow their international businesses was introduced today by the Rockford Area Economic Development at a news conference held at Midwest Aero Support in Machesney Park.
Brent Johnson, president of Midwest Aero Support, has already signed up for the new program called Global Partner Search (GPS) Program. "For a small company like ours, it would be very costly to place representatives in all corners of the world. With RAEDC performing the research and matching companies to us based on our completed questionnaire, it allows us to focus on what we do well, repair components and seats for aircraft and manufacture electronic aircraft components."
RAEDC Global Partner Search (GPS) Program
The RAEDC GPS Program is an international matchmaking program that connects Rockford-region companies formally to global markets with minimal risk and investment. The program also connects foreign companies to trade and expansion opportunities in the Rockford region. To participate in the program, companies complete the GPS Survey, and the RAEDC, in collaboration with its trade partners, such as the City of Lidköping in Sweden, conducts the research and presents potential partners back to the original companies. From there, companies can either reach out directly to partners, or RAEDC and its trade partners can serve as confidential third-party intermediaries, or facilitate direct communications. To begin the GPS process, visit: http://www.rockfordil.com/international/global-partner-search.
Partners
"It makes sense for us to launch the GPS Program with the City of Lidköping, Sweden, as an extension of the Industrial Partnership Agreement between Lidköping and Rockford," said Carrie Zethmayr, RAEDC director of international trade. "Ultimately we will expand this program to include other targeted countries, with whom we already collaborate closely."
City of Lidköping is First Partner in GPS
Linnea Bengtsson, international business developer from Lidköping stationed in Rockford, said, "This program will really help Lidköping's objectives with the Industrial Partnership Agreement with the City of Rockford, as it will better identify and facilitate business matchmaking. To be able to use the RAEDC database and its networking capabilities in this systematic way will be very helpful to Lidköping's companies.
To Participate in Global Partner Search Program
Companies interested in finding qualified potential global partners to grow their business can contact Carrie Zethmayr at 815.979.4263, [email protected] or visit www.rockfordil.com.
ABOUT THE RAEDC
The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region and to engage the community in the work of economic development.
