BABC
The British American Business Council is committed to promoting transatlantic trade and investment between the US and the UK
Contact: Helen Melville T: 0845 603 6650
BABC Patrons
Local firm invests in permanent US base
By Fred Bromwich
IPS Ceramics, the Potteries-based refractories and technical ceramics expert, which earlier this year relocated to new premises in Newcastle- under-Lyme as it looked to expand into fresh global markets, has now formed a US subsidiary. Known as IPS Ceramics USA Ltd, the new
company is headquartered in Cornelius, North Carolina and will be led day-to-day by vice president Mike Jackson. IPS sales director Phil Green said: “Mike brings
with him an in-depth knowledge and experience, not only of the traditional and technical sides of the ceramic industry, but also of the different aspects of the whole US market.”
‘Investing in a permanent base for IPS in the USA was the next logical step’
The move was announced during IPS Ceramics’ participation in Ceramics Expo in Cleveland, Ohio – and was well received by sector specialists. The company enjoys strong trading links with
the US and major manufacturers amongst its customer base include buyers of cordierite kiln furniture – especially in the sanitaryware and tableware sectors – and of technical ceramics. Having a dedicated US-based office and
personnel will enable the company to improve its service to customers right across the country, as well as providing the impetus for strategic growth in the NAFTA region and the important South American markets.
Obama to speak at key summit
President Obama is to deliver the keynote address at the US Embassy’s investment summit in Washington, DC, on 19-21 June, which BABC members will be attending as part of the official UK delegation. ‘The Innovation Advantage’ is to be the theme
of the summit, which is designed to help executives develop their US expansion or investment strategy. Top business leaders will also be taking part in
the conference, which will be attended by companies representing a wide-range of sectors and industries.
Details and registration information may be found at
www.selectusasummit.us
Phil Green (left) and Sukhjinder Singh “We are all very excited and proud about the
establishment of IPS Ceramics USA Ltd,” said Sukhjinder Singh, president of the newly- incorporated company, and managing director of IPS Ceramics in the UK. “We have created strong links with customers right across North America but investing in a permanent base for IPS in the USA was the next logical step in our quest to expand our business there – as well as providing for even closer customer/supplier relationships.” Mike Jackson has spent several decades in the
ceramic industry, having been based both in the UK and the USA. He had many years’ technical sales experience with Dyson Thermal Ceramics and more recently has been running US sales of ceramic and ceramic-related portfolios. “I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of leading the operations of IPS Ceramics USA,” said Mike. “The company has so much to offer in terms of refractories and technical ceramics and it has the deep levels of experience and technical ability which I know will be appreciated by the advanced manufacturing sector here in North America.”
A visiting delegation from the State of Ohio Ohio is the gateway
to the United States One of the leading manufacturing centres in the State of Ohio set out its stall as a re- location base for expanding companies with an eye on the US market when a delegation visited Greater Birmingham for a fact-finding mission. In addition to meeting representatives of Birmingham City Council and visiting Blythe Valley Business Park, Solihull, where they met lawyers from Hill Hostetter and developers IM Properties, the high-powered delegation from the City of Mentor also visited Birmingham Business Park and took part in a seminar – Gateway to the USA: The State of Ohio – hosted and sponsored by law firm DLA Piper. Helen Melville, manager of BABC Midlands,
which organised the programme, said that the seminar was of particular interest to UK companies looking either to enter the US market or to find US technology and business development partners which were seeking to enter the UK and European markets. She added: “The delegation, which included
Ken Filipiak, managing director of the City of Mentor, spent three days meeting companies and organisations which have an interest in the state of Ohio as a place to do business. All in all, the visit proved to be very successful and served to further strengthen our already strong business links with the US.” Kimberly Holizna, manager of Mentor’s
international trade programs, said: “Our time in Birmingham was a great success and we believe there to be good opportunity for Mentor to create lasting partnerships with the region and for good bilateral trade opportunities for companies in our industry sectors.” The State of Ohio is the third largest
manufacturing centre in the US and home to 500 UK companies, with the City of Mentor priding itself on its strong concentration of research and development, engineering and metalworking firms serving the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, polymers & chemicals and biomedical industry clusters. More than 1,700 companies employing
59,000 people are based in Mentor, which offers major incentives to relocating companies, including its Mentor International Trade Initiative.
June 2016 CHAMBERLINK 25
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