Press Release

Patterson to Join Automation Alley for Trade Mission to Central Europe

Pontiac, MI, April 5, 2007 – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is teaming up with the Automation Alley International Business Center and four southeast Michigan companies on a seven-day trade mission to the Central European countries of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.  The dates are May 12-19, 2007 with an optional side business trip to Germany May 9th – 12th.

Those companies signing up to date are:

• Advanced Design Resources International in Auburn Hills, a one-stop shop for part design, data management, CAD translations and project management.
• Enterprise Automotive Systems in Warren, involved in production, machining and assembly with rapid prototype services.
• Dragun Incorporated in Farmington Hills, an environmental engineering / environmental science consulting firm.
• Fluxtrol in Auburn Hills, a developer and manufacturer of soft magnetic composite materials for magnetic flux control and induction heating systems.

“A phenomenal growth rate of 6.3% between 2007 and 2010, half a billion potential customers, combined GDP of $13.4 trillion in 2006 and the expected increase in vehicle production from 2.9 million units in 2006 to 4.1 million units by 2010, makes Central Europe a gold mine for American businesses and their products,” Patterson said.

Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, also pointed out that next to China Central Europe has one of the highest concentrations of automobile manufacturing in the world. This, says Rogers, makes the region especially suitable and fertile for American companies looking to expand their reach into international markets.

Businesses taking advantage of this unique opportunity to get their foot in the door of one of the world’s fastest growing markets will have access to a wealth of special services.  The United States Department of Commerce will be on hand to schedule Gold Key Service match making meetings which pair American and Central European companies that have similar business interests in such fields as automotive components, medical instruments and hospital equipment, information technology and software applications.

Trade mission participants will also be able to attend receptions hosted by U.S. Embassies in Prague, Bratislava and Budapest providing face-to-face meetings with business experts and government officials who will share their knowledge of Central Europe’s business opportunities and challenges.

For those interested in signing up for the trade mission, the cost is $5,995 including airfare, hotel, ground transportation, match making meetings and other travel related expenses. Companies can also participate in the optional business trip to Berlin, Germany from May 9th – 12th for an additional $995.

The application deadline to participate in the Central European trade mission is April 20, 2007. For more information on the Central European trade mission or to apply, please contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at 1-800-427-5100.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer, at (248) 858-1048.
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