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Thanks to an export mentor program developed by the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, a small Westland manufacturer has hit the Mexican market and is aiming its latest product at Europe, Australia and the Far East.
INTRA Corp., a 13-year-old maker of electronic gauges and fixtures for the machine-tool trade, is an established supplier to the domestic auto industry and government agencies.
Now, with 43 employees, $5 million in 1989 sales and a new laser spindle alignment system, INTRA wants to go international.
INTRA Vice President John Battista Jr. credits the mentor program with "steering us through the processes so we don't lose time just flailing around" in the complexities of foreign commerce.
Developed by the chamber's export promotion committee, the free program encourages small and midsize businesses to export by matching each interested company with an adviser experienced in international trade. The volunteer mentor helps the company identify specific export opportunities, develop an export marketing plan and explore financing, licensing and shipping aspects.
"I had no international experience. I had to go through all the problems by myself," said INTRA's mentor, Thomas Moore, about his 1978 venture in starting an...