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Access U.S. – A Great Resource for Canadian Business Expansion

By Carolyn Powell, Business Development Manager, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Every month, BNE releases an e- newsletter, Access U.S., which provides information for Canadian businesses considering a U.S. business expansion. Below are the top three most popular articles published in Access U.S. since June 2012.

1. Collecting Receivables in the U.S. - July 2012

2. Part 2 – The Dos and Don’ts of Crossing the U.S. Border - September 2012

3. “Snowbird” Tax Info: Canadians Filing U.S. Tax Residency – April 2013

If you are interested in receiving our monthly e-newsletter, Access U.S., click here to sign up!

Click here to read more informational articles on cross border business.

Connecting Businesses with Skilled Trade Workers

by Carolyn Powell, Business Development Manager, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Canadian manufacturers that consider expanding their operations into the U.S. often inquire about 1) the availability of skilled trade workers, and 2) the affordability of those workers.

The Buffalo Niagara region maintains a strong infrastructure of workforce development initiatives to fill the needs for not only production line workers but also the skilled trades. Collaboration between the private-sector, educational institutions, non-profit initiatives and manufacturing associations are leading these efforts. Read more here about resources, funding and initiatives accelerating the workforce development delivery system in the region.

Workforce Development Highlight – connecting industry to skilled workers

While experienced workers are important, companies want assurance that local colleges and universities are continuing to educate students in the skilled trades to backfill the current aging workforce with new talent. Buffalo Niagara has several state and community colleges providing high quality and low-cost education, training and certificate programs.

For example, in a recent visit to Alfred State’s SUNY College of Technology I received a tour of the campus and the various degree programs offered.  During our tour, Craig Clark, P.E., Dean of the School of Applied Technologies explained that Alfred State provides a project-based learning experience that is the cornerstone of their culture.  Students work on real-world problems; thus they learn how to think, not simply what to think. As a result, Alfred State has a 99% employment and transfer rate.

Students can enroll in both Associate degree programs (2 years) and Bachelor degree programs (4 year) at the school.  Everything from Business Administration, Architecture to Applied Science and Occupational Studies (degree programs).

  • The Applied Sciences programs include: CAD/CAM, Electrical Engineering,  Electromechanical Engineering,  Mechanical Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Their Occupational Studies program includes:, Air Conditioning and Heating, Drafting/CAD, Machine Tool, Masonry, Welding

Workforce Affordability – maintaining competitiveness in a global market

It is also important for Canadian companies to understand what they will be expected to pay potential employees in Buffalo Niagara.  According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), employees with the same job titles in Alfred’s Applied Sciences and Occupations Studies program can be expected to be paid the following salaries:

AlfredChart-03_11_13 (2)

Canadian companies looking to expand to the U.S. can learn more on our website. To view of list of Canadian companies BNE has helped expand to the U.S., view our success stories.

Dairy Sanitation and Safety in the U.S.

As Canadian food processing companies consider U.S. expansion, the added element of understanding U.S. food regulations and training new employees on the proper handling of food products and good manufacturing practices could be overwhelming. When you start hiring key top level employees you may find a great warehouse supervisor, but what if they don’t have a food processing background? The reality is that your top candidate might not have that industry-specific training.

The Food Processing and Development Laboratory (Pilot Plant)

The Food Processing and Development Laboratory (Pilot Plant)

Cornell University Department of Food Science has one of the premier food science programs in the nation; they apply the principles of science and engineering to ensure the nutritional value, safety and quality of foods in the U.S. and around the globe. Located in nearby Ithaca NY, Cornell’s food processing development resources provide cutting edge research and support to New York State’s (NYS) food industry. They have facilities and expertise to support product development.

On Cornell’s campus there is a 8,500 square foot food pilot plant that contains product development, sensory evaluation and select lab services. Cornell offers opportunities for industry partnerships with their facilities, staff and various workshops. The Department of Food Science offers food industry resources with over 20 different pieces of processing equipment. Their food processing development laboratory allows for research and product development trials, small batch production, environmental rooms, and sensory trials. They also have a new 13,000 square foot dairy processing plant that supports teaching, research and extension activities.

Cornell also offers a 3-day certificate course in Basic Dairy Sanitation and Safety. This course includes topics like food safety overview, basic dairy microbiology, milk composition and unit processing operations, good manufacturing practices, dairy sanitation, dairy regulations, and food safety modernization act. These topics would be ideal for plant managers, supervisors, and operations staff. Customized training opportunities exist in good manufacturing practices, HAACP and basic food safety, and quality food production. Additional courses are available in Fluid Milk Processing for Quality and Safety Certificate, Yogurt and Fermented Dairy Products, Cheese and Cheese Products. Additional resources are available such as regulatory contracts (NYS Ag and Markets, FDA, and USDA), industry partners, and association partnerships.

For more information on Cornell’s programs please contact: Janene Lucia jgg3@cornell.edu (607) 255-2892.

Visit http://www.cals.dairy.cornell.edu or http://foodscience.cornell.edu/FPDL

Resources:

Click here if you are a Canadian Business considering expansion to the U.S.

Click here if you would like to learn more about the Agribusinss industry in the Buffalo Niagara region.

Site Selection Insights from Women in Economic Development

I recently attended  The Woman in Economic Develop Forum in Chicago, IL  where I met with several site selectors to get an update on what they are seeing and hearing from companies.  Many companies throughout the world reach out to a site selection firms to request assistance in  location analysis, site selection, and strategy comparisons.  These site selectors learn firsthand what companies need in order to expand or relocate, as well as how industries are growing, contracting or otherwise changing.  Much of the information shared at the forum was repeated by more than one expert.

Overall there are positive trends and activity regarding company requests and growth needs.  Most site selectors are predicting an increase in activity for 2013 across the country and industries.

Key points that were discussed during the forum:

Project Trends

  • Fewer consolidation projects happening and there are more expansion needs.  Not all of these expansions are taking place in new locations, many are happening at a company’s existing facility.
  • Companies are looking for new locations to set up regional facilities in order to be closer to their customers.

Industry Trends

  •  There has been a lot of activity in the steel and aircraft industries.  The aircraft demand is specific to the commercial segment,  due to the aging of existing aircraft and growing markets.

Workforce

  • Workforce concerns continue to be a growing and hot topic.  Many companies are doing a lot of due diligence to better understand a region’s workforce trends. Companies want to know if a region has experienced workers and their ages.
  • Companies find it important to locate in regions that have strong programs at local trade schools, colleges and universities.
  • Companies are looking to state programs to assist them in providing  younger workers with  the skills they need to work in their available manufacturing positions.

Incentives

  •  Incentives are an important factor in a company’s decision making process.  Companies look for a clear explanation of incentive programs, including how and when the incentives will be paid.
  • Companies desire front loaded incentives, but they are also facing more claw back provisions in the first couple years.
  • The timing of needed infrastructure plays a role and how incentives can be utilized to develop that infrastructure.

Development in Progress at Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park

Latest aerial photograph of Project Wave (yellow outline) progress at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia, NY:
You’ll also notice Alpina (white outline) in the upper right hand corner… this artisan dairy manufacturer just announced that two of its yogurts will be available at Tops Friendly Markets. In addition, they recently posted 30 production positions on the NYS DOL job website and have received over 500 local applications.

A NEXUS Pass Helps Save Time at the Border

At BNE we assist many Canadian companies in expanding their business to Buffalo Niagara. During the expansion process, Canadian business owners make multiple trips back and forth across the border to attend various due diligence meetings, tour facilities, visit available sites and more. With today’s strict border regulations people often experience delays, which can become especially frustrating when one crosses the border on a regular basis. To help alleviate this problem, I encourage my Canadian companies that they should apply for aNEXUS Pass.  
The NEXUS travel document enables travelers to use a NEXUS- only lane, promising just a few minutes wait time at customs.  There is also a bridge designated for NEXUS holders; the Whirlpool Bridge where only nexus holders are allowed to cross. The NEXUS costs only $50.00 and is good for five years, a great deal for frequent border crossers.
An important thing to note is that having a NEXUS pass does not allow Canadians to work in the United States.  Immigration and work Visas for any key employees that will be helping to setup and start operations for the new facility in Buffalo Niagara will need to be addressed.
I myself am a NEXUS holder and I have had nothing but a good experience with the program.  Visit  www.nexusniagara.com to learn how you can enroll.
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission has some other useful tools to minimize your border wait time. A toll-free number (1-800-715-6722), website and even a Twitter feed  provides up-to-the-minute bridge traffic information.
Carolyn Powell
Manager, Business Development

Canadian Business Finds a Home in Buffalo Niagara

Electro Sonic, Inc. President Eric Taylor talks about their expansion to Buffalo Niagara. Electro Sonic wanted to invest in a facility that would enable it to efficiently enter the U.S. market. At the same time, the distributor needed to maintain its existing service metric of next-day delivery for all customer orders. Watch the video below to learn why Tonawanda, NY was their ideal choice…

Facility Tour of New Buffalo Company, Kingswood Millwork

Kingswood Millwork, BNE win from last year, is up and running in their new facility on Buffalo’s east side.  The company specializes in historic building restoration projects, specifically for windows and doors.  The Buffalo team is busy working on a project for a building in Manhattan’s Financial District that has them replacing all the building’s windows. 
I had the opportunity to tour their new facility on Lovejoy Street recently and I found that it was much different than when I took them through the building for the first time back in November of 2010.  Just over two years later, the building is not only clean and with newly built out office space, but is abuzz with work!  Owners Alan and Randy Cheynowski have already hired two people and are currently looking to fill a third position.  With so many potential projects right here in historic Buffalo, the brothers are optimistic that they will have a full slate of projects for years to come.  We welcome Kingswood Millwork to Buffalo and congratulate them on getting up and running so smoothly! 
Business Development Manager Carolyn Powell with Kingswood Millwork co-owner Randy Cheynowski in front of their Lovejoy Street facility
Carolyn Powell
Business Development Manager

Looking Forward to the International Dairy Show

This week as I get ready to attend the 2011 International Dairy Show taking place in Atlanta, GA during September, 19 -21, I find myself preparing several different regional pitches for the wide variety of companies I will meet with while touring the show. This venue offers us the opportunity to connect not only with food processors but packaging companies, equipment manufacturers, and biotechnology companies in the dairy industry.

While I will be meeting with a wide variety of attendees in industries that play to our regional strengths in general, food production, especially dairy, is a key industry in New York State. Milk is New York State’s leading agricultural product. In fact, New York is the third largest producer of milk in the U.S. Our research department created a couple of custom maps to highlight our state and region’s productivity. You can check them out by clicking on the links here: Dairy Production by Sales and Pounds produced. Click here to view information on food processing in Buffalo Niagara.

Carolyn Powell, Business Development Manager

Intersolar Europe Showcases Solar Industry Solutions

Intersolar Europe — the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, takes place annually in Munich Germany.  To date, the majority of solar technology developments have occurred in Germany, fueled by their lucrative renewable energy policies, established solar infrastructure and supply chain.  This year nearly 77,000 visitors and 2,280 exhibitors attended the exhibition July 8-10.
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) used this tradeshow as an opportunity to meet with solar manufacturers to highlight the Buffalo Niagara region, existing solar supply change, and the availability of hydropower.
BNE worked with our partners across NY State to co-market our region asNY Loves CleanTech.  By partnering, we promoted the state as a whole and occupied one booth that represented the entire state.  The joint initiative was sponsored by National Grid. While working at the booth, BNE arranged meetings with new contacts and companies.  We also had the opportunity to meet and follow up with contacts from prior shows who had previously expressed an interest in the region.
The majority of international meetings that BNE participates in involve companies that are considering U.S. expansion in some form or another.  No matter what the company is looking to establish; manufacturing operations, warehouse, R&D, or simply a sales office they all look to the U.S. governmental policies and programs regarding renewable energy and see opportunity for growth. The company then questions what U.S. location is best for them.  BNE works to help companies understand the benefits of locating a division in the Buffalo Niagara region. 
- Carolyn Powell, Business Development Manager
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise