Manufacturing secretary to accompany China delegation

Paul V. Arnold, Noria Corporation

Al Frink, the assistant secretary for manufacturing and services in the U.S. Department of Commerce, will join a delegation of nearly 200 Minnesota business, government, academic and civic leaders on a mission to China in mid-November. Led by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the mission is intended to provide Minnesota companies with foreign business and trade opportunities. The objective of the weeklong trip is to provide a forum for companies to acquire market information, assess market potential, evaluate market entry strategies and identify potential business partners, as well as promote Chinese investment in Minnesota. “The US manufacturers who are winning in today’s economy are exporting,” said Frink. “Nearly one-fifth of all Minnesota manufacturing jobs depend on exports, and China presents an opportunity to break into one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.” Frink serves as the chief advocate for the U.S. manufacturing sector and is responsible for policies supporting manufacturing, job creation and the nation’s global marketplace. In 1974, Frink co-founded Fabrica, a manufacturer of high-end carpets and rugs, with a $100,000 Small Business Administration loan. The company, which started with five employees, now employs more than 400. All of Fabrica's operations, including manufacturing and distribution, are located in the United States. The company was acquired by the Dixie Group in 2000. “He brings a wealth of experience in business and is a strong voice for U.S. manufacturers,” Gov. Pawlenty said of Frink in a statement. “The assistant secretary will be able to help us open doors to identify and seize opportunities for Minnesota businesses in China.” The mission is an outgrowth of the Minnesota-China Partnership, a statewide initiative that the governor launched earlier this year to strengthen and broaden Minnesota’s relationship with China.

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