Business TRANSFORMATION page 17 FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS AND TRAVEL NEEDS... U.S. figures for 1993 — the last complete year available — Israel sent $4.420 billion worth of goods to the United States and import- ed $4.429 billion from the U.S. There are no figures available on a state-by-state basis, but Michigan is working hard to in- crease its exports to Israel. The Michigan International Trade PHOTO BY BILL GEMMELL Authority has a bilateral trade team working with Is- rael. The team includes De- troit attorney Michael Traison, chairman of the Michigan-Israel Chamber of Commerce. While the trade authority's main purpose is to expand Michigan exports, it also lists seven companies doing busi- ness in Michigan which are subsidiaries of Israeli firms. They include Cubital of Troy, which makes rapid pro- totype machinery; Elbit Sys- tems in Grand Rapids, which develops military electronics; Quikcoup in Houghton, fire sprinkler pipefittings; Robo- matix in Wixom, laser robot- ics for automotive and aerospace; Sharnoa in Ply- mouth, machining centers; Tecnomatix in Novi, robotics Sabah Yaldoo: Israeli products at Yaldoo's software; and Urdan in South- suppliers in the area. Instead of field, metal products. Robomatix and Cubital have talking thousands of dollars in imported products, like the food similar operations. The two sell chains, the manufacturers will systems to the automotive and other industries and service their be talking millions. "It was not like this one or two products in North America from years ago," says Oded Boneh, Detroit area offices. Robomatix, according to Craig head of the Israeli economic mis- sion attached to the Israeli con- Pearce, vice president of business sulate in Chicago. At that time, development, does approximate- the mission "tried a few trade ini- ly $10 million in business each tiatives" with Chrysler, Ford and year from its Wixom facility, sell- ing robotic manufacturing sys- General Motors. Those efforts have laid the tems to GM, Ford, Chrysler, groundwork for others, Mr. Boeing and others. Cubital, according to customer Boneh says. "Just a few months ago, the president of General Mo- support manager Eitan Bere- tors (John Smith Jr.) was in Is- zowitz, has sold only five ma- rael. They are going to open a chines in the last two years from its Troy offices. But at $500,000 small subsidiary there." Les Schoonover of General Mo- apiece, they are a significant in- tors' international department vestment. The company's products allow has made 14 trips to Israel, in- cluding a visit last month "to manufacturers to design and identify and develop suppliers." build prototype parts more quick- He says GM does "several mil- ly than conventional systems. While old-time Detroiters can lion dollars of business per year with Israel" and is trying to ex- remember appeals to buy Israeli pand that in order to balance its food products in order to support the Jewish state, Israel's high- trade with Israel. Interestingly, overall trade be- tech industries in the 1990s ap- tween Israel and the United pear to be taking over as Israel's States is balanced. According to biggest export to Detroit. ❑ The Government of Israel Trade and Economics Office in Chicago is organizing a major event in Detroit in June. With the help of the Michigan-Israel Chamber of Commerce, it will host representatives of 15-25 Is- raeli manufacturers who will meet one-on-one with automotive Tumi's lightweight contemporary cases are designed to meet needs of today's professionals. Available in luxurious Nappa leather or rugged ballistic nylon. Full line of Tumi products available. Quality with life warranty. Made in USA. 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