Williamston-based
Bekum America Corporation is receiving some valuable services as the first company in the Capital region to participate in the State of Michigan’s new export initiative: the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program. The company, which manufactures blow-molding machinery, is utilizing the program to gain entrance into the Indian marketplace.
“The STEP program did a lot to help us tighten our focus on our goals, and is helping us fine tune a marketing program,” says Steve London, Bekum’s Chief Operating Officer. “It also offers an opportunity to refund some of the expenses necessary to establish a new market.”
The Michigan STEP program is meant to create jobs by helping Michigan businesses export their products. Since working with STEP, Bekum has secured a grant to cover up to half of its expenses to attend PLASTINDIA, the third largest plastics show in the world. But financing isn’t the only benefit of program.
“Through the STEP program we’ve made a lot of contacts,” says London, “and have met a lot of people who have personal experience with this kind of exporting.”
Bekum currently employs 105 workers in
Williamston. Should the company be successful in finding export opportunities in India, London expects more staff will be added.
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