This past month, Berry Moorman PC co-sponsored a trade mission for automotive suppliers and other related industries interested in expanding and developing business opportunities in Russia (see April 2008 entry Automotive Trade Mission to Russia). Attorneys Randy Wright and Simon Edelstein returned from the trade mission optimistic that the efforts of the trade mission delegates will yield business opportunities in both Russia and the USA. Participants included: ArvinMeritor, American Broach and Machine Co., Managed Programs LLC, Android Industries LLC, Guardian Automotive Corp. and Cinetic Automation Corp. For more information on the trade mission, please read the Crain’s article To Russia, for growth: Mission gives suppliers line on new work, and the US Commercial Service’s Auto Team News press release, republished with permission below.
Automotive Team Supports Trade Mission to Russia, May 11-16, 2008
The US Commercial Service Global Automotive Team, working with the renowned Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, MI, organized and recruited a trade mission of US automotive suppliers to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia from May 11-16, 2008. The mission was funded by grants from the US Department of Labor, and the Mott Foundation, and was supported by Detroit law firm Berry Moorman, with offices in St. Petersburg.
This was the 4th CAR Mission supported by the USCS Global Automotive Team within the past year. A total of 13 companies applied. Following a selection process, 12 individuals participated, representing several companies & organizations, including Tier I and II suppliers.
The companies met key representatives of Russian, American and foreign automakers: AvtoVaz, Gaz, ZIL, Kamaz, IzhAvto, Renault, Toyota, Ford and General Motors, all of which assemble/manufacture vehicles in Russia. The mission participants also participated in market briefings, site visits, and one-on-one meetings with potential business partners via the U.S. Commercial Service premier matchmaking tool – the “Gold Key Service”. Finally, a high-level business reception was organized for trade mission participants and business contacts in the Russian automotive sector at the American Consul General’s Residence in St. Petersburg. The above described mission activities were planned and implemented by the US Commercial Service Global Automotive Team. CAR Russia Mission
Emilio Brahmst led this project for the Center for Automotive Research. Randolph Wright participated as lead representative of Berry Moorman. Key US Commercial Service Automotive Team members responsible for recruiting, organizing and conducting this mission were: Keith Silver and Alexander Kansky in St. Petersburg, Mark O’Grady and Vladislav Borodulin in Moscow, and Eve Lerman in Pontiac, Michigan.
