MiMfg Magazine February 2020 | Page 21

February 2020 Got Good News? Share your company’s news with MMA and see it published here, through our social media channels or on mimfg.org . Send your photos, press releases and good news to MMA’s Brett Gerrish at [email protected]. Ford to Invest $1.45B and 3,000 Jobs into Michigan Ford Motor Company closed out 2019 with the announcement of a $1.45 billion investment across two southeast Michigan facilities and an additional 3,000 new jobs to support the company’s growing expansion into electric and autonomous vehicles. According to a company statement, Ford is investing approximately $750 million and adding 2,700 new direct jobs at its manufacturing facility in Wayne during the next three years. They are also adding 300 jobs and investing about $700 million into their Dearborn location to support production of new electrified variants of its F-150 truck. “At Ford, we are investing aggressively in building on our strengths today — including trucks and SUVs — while at the same time expanding our leadership into electric and autonomous vehicles,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president, Automotive. “As America’s No. 1 producer of automobiles, we are proud of our commitment to invest in manufacturing here in Michigan.” Jump-Start Your Global Development Plans The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be hosting ExporTech programs in Lansing over the next three months. ExporTech is a structured export strategy development process that helps companies accelerate growth in global markets and includes three full-day workshops. Register for the export training program in your area today. • ExporTech Lansing on 2/21/20, 3/20/20 and 4/24/20; more info: [email protected] Why Attend: Training and individualized mentoring is provided from a wide range of experts on export financing, payment risk, compliance, sales and distribution, country selection and more. Teams of students are assigned to each company to assist in market research. Program Highlights: • Only national program that results in a customized export growth plan for each company • Designed for manufacturing and technology executives responsible for international growth • Intensive, structured process with workshops, planning tools, and individual coaching • Connect to a wide range of local and national resources MiMfg Magazine 21 Discounts Available: MI-STEP grants are available for qualified companies to cover 50 percent of the fee, lowering out- of-pocket cost to $600. Learn more at www.michiganbusiness.org/ services/international-trade/. Financial Support for Small Manufacturers Looking to Expand Overseas Looking to jump-start or expand your foreign sales? The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) empowers U.S. companies to win international sales that otherwise would go to foreign competitors. As the official export credit agency of the United States, EXIM provides financial support to ensure a level playing field for U.S. exporters competing in the intense global marketplace. Whether a small business needs working capital to fulfill sales orders, protection against buyer nonpayment, or the ability to extend credit to buyers, EXIM has a solution and they provide support in more than 180 countries. Their services include: • Nonpayment Protection • Credit Extension • Working Capital • Term Financing Contact EXIM’s Jan Blaho, at [email protected] or 312- 353-8072, to get started on your your EXIM application. Learn more at www.exim.gov. 6 Your Support is Critical Contributing to the MMA-PAC is an investment in Michigan’s future and one of the most affordable and effective ways to support pro-manufacturing legislators and candidates. Donate at mimfg.org or contact Brianna Mills at 517-487-8523 or [email protected]. “Our ability to support pro-manufacturing candidates is imperative as anti- manufacturing voices are working strategically against our industry.” — Patrick Curry, MMA-PAC Chair and President of Fullerton Tool MMA-PAC can accept personal contributions or contributions from sole-proprietorships, partnerships or limited liability companies (LLCs). State Law prohibits acceptance of corporate checks.