In June, North Dakota turned its attention toward trade with our neighbor to the north and largest trading partner, Canada. In 2013, Canada imported $2.7 billion of North Dakotan products, accounting for over 70 percent of the state’s total exports. Although trade with Canada is more simplified than with many other international markets, NDTO focused on assisting North Dakota companies in Canadian expansion through the Canada Trade Mission and the Canadian Farm Progress Show.
Canada Trade Mission — Montreal, Toronto, Ontario ∙ July 9-12
NDTO led its first official trade mission to Canada in June, traveling to Montreal June 9-10, Ottawa June 11, and Toronto June 12. Six companies in the energy and unmanned aerial system (UAS) industries participated in the mission with the objective to develop commercial and industry organizational relationships. Additionally, participants were seeking relationships with investment capital sources and Canadian companies interested in expanding into the U.S.
The delegation was led by North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson. Also participating was Jamshed Merchant, Counsel General of Canada in Minneapolis, who was very instrumental in bridging the business relationships and opportunities between North Dakota and Canada.
Trade Mission Itinerary:
Montreal: The UAS delegates visited Marivent, a UAV conversion company and CAE, a global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defense. The energy-focused delegates met with CIMA+, a multidisciplinary firm providing a full range of services in the sectors of urban infrastructure, civil engineering, environment, transportation, building, industry, energy and hydroelectricity, telecommunications, geomatics, and urban planning. These energy companies also visited Investment Quebec. Additionally, separate breakfast briefing meetings were held for the energy-focused and UAS sectors where delegates gave presentations to 50 Canadian commercial and governmental representatives. One-on-one matchmaking meetings were conducted after the presentations.
Ottawa: Ottawa is the national capital of Canada. The energy-focused and UAS delegates followed separate tracks in Ottawa, meeting with pertinent industry, national association and government contacts. The day concluded with a VIP networking reception at the US Embassy with about 40 guests in attendance.
Toronto: Toronto is the financial capital of Canada. The delegates met with Northwater Capital Management, a private investment management firm that works with several capital funds. Each delegate presented an overview of their business model and capital needs. Following this meeting, all delegates traveled to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to learn about the types of companies on the exchange and the advantages of participating in TSX. To complete the visit to Toronto, a luncheon briefing meeting was held in which North Dakota delegates individually presented their business model and outlined their capital needs to an audience of 50 banking, investment capital and agency representatives; one-on-one meetings were conducted following the presentations.
The Canada Trade Mission met the objective of introducing the energy and UAS sectors of North Dakota to partners in Canada. North Dakota delegates were chosen to represent these sectors, and in addition to presenting their individual business and needs to prospective business associates and capital providers, they presented an overview of these sectors across North Dakota to Canadian officials and business leaders.
NDTO is in the process of planning a Reverse Canada Trade Mission to North Dakota. If you have interest in this initiative and would like to learn more, please contact Donavon Johnson at donavon@ndto.com
Canadian Farm Progress Show ∙ Regina, SK, Canada ∙ June 17-20
Twelve NDTO member companies participated in the Canada’s largest trade show, Canadian Farm Progress, a dry land farm technology show held in Regina, Saskatchewan that annually attracts 45,000 visitors from around the world. The 2014 event was held June 17-20.
NDTO assisted four member companies that took part in the CFPS Exporter Program which hosted over 600 international visitors from 50+ countries around the world with the goal of assisting participants in increasing international sales. These companies included:
- Superior Grain Bins
- Brandt Holdings
- Thurston Manufacturing
- Raven Technology
Ten additional NDTO Companies took part in the Canadian Farm Progress show, exhibiting themselves or with their authorized dealers:
- AgriCover
- AgriDry
- Amity JV/AGCO
- Appareo Systems
- Crary Company
- Gates Manufacturing
- Haybuster/Duratech
- Norwood Sales
- SCAFCO Grain
- Summers Manufacturing
North Dakota machinery and equipment manufacturers exported over $780 million in product in Canada in 2013 alone. This is third year NDTO has participated in the Canadian Farm Progress Show. If you’re interested in joining NDTO’s program in 2015 or learning more about agricultural machinery exports to Canada, contact Tom Wollin at tom@ndto.com.