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Visits
International Missions
Governor Mitch Daniels has led several international missions to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. Visits focused on expanding business relationships with companies currently operating in Indiana and establishing new potential investment and job creation partners for Indiana. Over the past three years, international missions have led to hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment and thousands of new jobs in Indiana.
Trade and Investment Mission to Germany and UK
May, 2007
Governor Daniels and a state delegation of about 30 people from throughout Indiana visited Germany and UK during the weeklong economic development mission to Europe . The group's first stop was Germany, where the governor spoke to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of DaimlerChrysler and executives from Getrag Corporate Group, as well as a number of other companies with Indiana interests, including Schott, SCHWARZ PHARMA, Freudenberg, Panasonic Toyota Racing and Knauf Insulation.
In the UK state officials met with BAE Systems, Arcelor Mittal, Tate& Lyle, Oxford Biosignals and a number of Indiana business partners. The mission gave an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and build new relationships with the UK businesses....read more
U.K-based Keronite to Establish U.S. Operations in Indiana
LONDON (May 16, 2007) — Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from Keronite today to announce that the U.K-based metals treatment company will establish its first U.S. operations in Indiana.
Governor Mitch Daniels and Ross Brown sign the memorandum of understanding between the state of Indiana and Keronite International Ltd.
The transcontinental investment will create 25 new jobs and bring more than $1.5 million in capital investment to the company's new facility in Greenwood.
“This is exactly the kind of business we're most interested in, the front edge of technology with intellectual property that assures high margins, high value and employs the products of our best universities and keeps them close to home. The company has the potential for exciting and rapid growth,” said Daniels.
Keronite specializes in a high-tech treatment process that transforms the surfaces of light alloys into wear and corrosion resistant ceramics. While the process has applications that span from the automotive industry to consumer products, motorsports applications will serve as the focus for the company's new U.S. operations.
“There are many applications for our technology in the motorsports industry,” said Ross Brown, Keronite's general manager for U.S. operations. “Thank you to Indiana for an excellent opportunity.”
Governor Daniels and Keronite executives signed a memorandum of understanding detailing the company's plans to locate in Indiana at a reception for the Motorsport Industry Association in London . The meeting is one of several slated with European business leaders during the Governor's Europe trade mission.
“We are thrilled that Keronite has chosen Greenwood to be the home of their new U.S. operations,” said Mayor Charles Henderson. “The Governor's efforts to in-source jobs to our community will allow us to continue building our economy and allow us to show more and more people that Greenwood 's quality of life and workforce is among the best in the world.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the company up to $250,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $64,000 in training grants based on Keronite's planned expansion.
Daniels discusses Hoosier jobs with global business leaders
LONDON, United Kingdom (May 17, 2007) – Governor Mitch Daniels spent his first full day in the United Kingdom making a new acquaintance and catching up with a former colleague. The governor had a breakfast meeting in the London home of Lakshmi Mittal, president and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, followed by a visit with Robert Tuttle, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Governor Mitch Daniels and Lakshmi Mittal, President and CEO of Arcelor Mittal
Mittal Steel is the largest steel producer in the United States and employs 9,500 Hoosiers at facilities in northwest Indiana.
"It was an enormous privilege to spend a couple of hours with one of the leading businessmen in the world and tell him how proud Indiana is that his company has made such a large investment in our state and workers," said Daniels. "The continued strength of the steel industry remains central to Indiana's overall economic health. It was invaluable for me to listen to Mr. Mittal talk about his vision for the future of the industry and his company."
At the U.S. Embassy in London, the governor spent time with Tuttle, his former colleague at the White House. When Daniels was a senior adviser to President Ronald Reagan, Tuttle was personnel director and the two had adjacent offices.
Governor Mitch Daniels and Robert Tuttle, U.S Ambassador to the United Kingdom
"I couldn't resist seeing an old friend and converting him into a marketer for Indiana . He is the most visible ambassador to the United Kingdom in a long time and I primed him to tell businesses here about our state as a place they should put at the top of the list when they are ready to insource jobs to the United States ," said Daniels.
David T. Johnson, the Minister of the U.S. Embassy, hosted a reception for the state delegation and more than 115 other guests on Thursday evening. The Embassy invited companies with interests in Indiana to meet and exchange information with the delegation. Also on Thursday, Daniels met with executives from BAE Systems, a defence and aerospace company with a facility that employs 700 in Ft. Wayne.
Governor visits more customers, closes European trip
LONDON (May 18, 2007) – Governor Mitch Daniels closed a week of job-hunting for Hoosiers in Germany and the United Kingdom today, emphasizing Indiana's welcoming climate for investment and thanking customers for their existing business.
Governor Mitch Daniels with Tate& Lyle officials, Ian Ferguson, CEO and Stanley Musesengwa, COO
Daniels wrapped up the weeklong trip by meeting with executives of Oxford BioSignals and its subsidiary, Oxford BioSignals Medical, a company that recently announced it would establish its global life sciences corporate headquarters in Carmel, and with senior executives of Tate & Lyle, a global manufacturer of renewable food and industrial ingredients with a facility that employs several hundred Hoosiers in West Lafayette.
While part of the governor's mission was to extend and build relationships with companies that already have business interests in Indiana, he found that companies likewise thanked Hoosiers for their business.
“Many companies we visited said they were struck that we came here to see them, and they did more than they needed to welcome us. That tells me this approach is working,” said Daniels.
The governor said the direct contact gave him and staff at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation better understanding of each company's business environment and created better ties for the future. He said he expects to continue the strategy of trade missions abroad to targeted countries rather than casting a wide net.
“We have more opportunity for better return in jobs and growth for Hoosiers by deepening relations in several places we know where jobs are to be found. Indiana must continue to be seen as different and more attractive,” he said.
In addition to calling on companies, Daniels said the state made good inroads by spending time with powerful associations, such as the German Association of the Automotive Industry and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited, which have thousands of business members.
“There are many opportunities for IEDC to follow up when we return home,” said Daniels. “Already next week, the IEDC will host members of the automotive industry and the U.K. Motorsports Association, who will be in Indianapolis for the Indianapolis 500.”
Daniels started his day Friday by making opening remarks at The Society for Motor Manufacturers conference on “Business Opportunities in the Americas,” attended by automotive, engineering and aerospace companies, among others. There he relayed how Indiana is improving its infrastructure and business climate to make the state a welcoming place for growth. |
“The creation of this economic development package was done in the true spirit of partnership and Rolls-Royce has received tremendous support and cooperation from both the state’s and the city’s economic development teams.”
Steven F. Dwyer
Chief Operating Officer
Rolls-Royce Corporation
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