Monico, Inc. Expands Market by Focusing on Business Opportunities Abroad - 5.28.09

In an increasingly global marketplace, U.S.-based companies have found themselves competing with companies around the world for business, investment and strategic partnerships. With affluence increasing beyond geographical borders, it is essential to build bridges into international markets to maximize the benefits of domestic businesses´ ingenuity, hard work and quality products. After September 11, 2001, despite NAFTA´s increase in international trade opportunities, many small and medium-sized companies stopped doing business internationally, which resulted in a lack of international awareness of U.S. companies.

It was this downturn in international business development that prompted many states to launch international trade missions to other parts of the world such as Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, China, France, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, among other locations. One such international business mission was launched by the office of Texas Governor, Rick Perry starting in 2002. Each year, the Secretary of State of Texas reaches out to successful Texas businesses, offering them an opportunity to expand their markets to Mainland China and Taiwan and explore business relationships with commercial partners in these high growth areas.

In April 2006, Monico was presented with an opportunity to visit China and Taiwan as a part of the state´s annual trade mission. For over twenty years, Monico has assisted clients in the oil & gas, power generation, and marine industries with their communication and monitoring needs. In particular, their experience in communicating with Caterpillar® equipment has earned them a worldwide reputation with dealers, OEM´s, and end-users. This reputation in the engine communications field has allowed Monico to service customers not only domestically, but in countries such as Taiwan, China and Russia, as well as many countries in the Middle East, Australia, Europe and South America.

Doyle Taylor, President and Owner of Monico, along with representatives from fifteen other Texas-based organizations embarked on a two week journey through Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Taichung. Mainland China and Taiwan are consistently ranked among the top ten largest export markets for Texas goods. In 2008, Texas exported $8.44 billion to Mainland China and $3.6 billion to Taiwan, increasing more than 500 percent in comparison to 2001, prior to the start of the state´s international trade missions. While on the trade mission, Taylor met with Chinese government leaders such as Secretary General, Wuxi Lin Guozhong, and Deputy Governor, Ye Ruqiang, exhibited at the Chinese International Boatshow, and presented Monico´s portfolio of products to key economic development and industrial leaders.

As a result of Texas´ international trade initiatives, Texas is now a top-ranked destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), and ranks second nationally for the number of international trade-related jobs by state. In 2007, Texas was ranked the number one state by export revenues for the sixth year in a row, with over $168 billion, and tops in attracting international capital with over $14.9 billion invested into the state. However, the participants in the business trade missions, won as well. Since visiting Mainland China and Taiwan in 2006, Monico has received the attention of many more Chinese businesses. Page views originating from Chinese IP addresses, have increased more than 2257 percent since their trip and China is now the company´s fourth largest purchaser of their products behind Canada, Mexico and Germany.

On April 29, 2009, Doyle Taylor was once again invited to represent Monico, on behalf of The Greater Houston Partnership, at a trade reception hosted by the Consulate General of the People´s Republic of China in Houston, Qiao Hong. A 35 business member delegation from Shandong, China, the second largest GDP producer in the country, with more than $70 billion in imports each year, attended the reception to purchase, to sell and to identify potential relocation opportunities in the Texas market. While at the reception Monico was again given the opportunity to present its Gatewayâ„¢ products to attending industrial leaders.

Texas´ efforts to stimulate a sagging economy and increase international business development through increased exports has made the state one of the top exporters of goods to international countries in the nation. Three years after Monico´s maiden voyage to China and Taiwan, the company continues to be very pleased with the impact the trip has had on their business and intends to further explore opportunities for additional international commerce.

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