Saco, Maine-based specialty rope manufacturer Yale Cordage is participating in the State of Maine Trade Mission To China, which began September 8 and will conclude September 15. Organized by the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) and led by Governor Paul LePage, the trade mission has matched representatives from 13 Maine businesses and organizations with Asian importers and distributors, with the goal of promoting business in the region and increasing exports. The mission includes visits to Shanghai and Hong Kong.

"We have been getting increased demand across all sectors for trade assistance related to China," said Janine B. Cary, president, MITC. "We believe this will be a successful mission for manufacturers."

Yale Cordage manufactures ropes for electrical, marine, construction, government/military, and arborist and timber harvesting applications. The company reports that at present, 15 percent of its business is conducted with overseas customers.

"There is more business in China we want to earn, and we think this trip organized by MITC is a great opportunity to do that," said Yale Cordage President Bill Putnam.

MITC reports that similar trade missions to China have been successful for Maine businesses, citing a 97-percent increase in exports to China since 2007, and sales totaling $6.5 million since 2008.

September 11, 2012