Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/245761
help them export their products. The official name for this effort is New North Global. The economic development professionals from the 18-county region are partnering with area technical colleges, regional planning commissions, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the New North organization to make a concentrated effort at increasing the global market share for the high-quality products manufactured in Northeast Wisconsin. The first step was to develop a strategic plan for the area. This was completed in late 2012 with the help of a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The next step will be to help new-toexporting companies tap into the great educational programs that can get them started. Fox Valley Technical College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College have teamed up to create the Northeast Wisconsin International Business Network (NEWIBN). This association of local companies IndustrIal Product solutIons • protective coatings • industrial floors • concrete stains • shop towels • facility maintenance products • hazardous & non-hazardous waste disposal Vendor for: tlogemann@new.rr.com David Thiel is the executive director of the Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the Global New North task force. Going up? Partner with Moraine Park to reach the top. Call Tony Logemann 920-615-6200 with the International Division of the WEDC to sponsor a trade venture to South America in the fall of 2014. The specific countries chosen are Colombia, Chile and Peru. These countries were chosen because their market demand matches up well with products manufactured in the New North, according to the research completed for the 2012 Northeast Wisconsin Global Trade Strategic Plan. Some of these products include the previously mentioned agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as products for the food processing and packaging sector. In 2012, Wisconsin was ranked 18th nationally in the value of products exported. While this is certainly respectable, we have the ability to do better. We make things here, and we do that very well. We just need to let more people in the world know that. offers current information on issues, practices and trends that influence all aspects of international trade. The Lakeshore International Networking and Knowledge Exchange (LINKe) is a networking group sponsored by Lakeshore Technical College. This international networking group sponsors similar programs to companies in Lakeshore Technical College's service area. In addition, all three colleges offer extensive training in the multiple aspects of international business, like compliance, finance, logistics and culture. Finally, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) to offer a program called ExporTech. This intensive three-month training program provides enrollees with an exporting business plan that targets the participating company's best possible markets. And, for the New North businesses that already sell products outside of the U.S., New North Global is partnering Performance-Minded Business Solutions PERFORMANCE-MINDED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS training@morainepark.edu 920-924-3449 morainepark.edu/training Six Sigma I Leadership & Supervision I Technical Skills I Customized Training Solutions I Strategic Development w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m January 2014 • / insight on manufacturing | 23