Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 17, 1995 TAG: 9506200048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen and his entourage visited 10 cities in England, Sweden and Germany. The governor was accompanied by his wife, Susan; Secretary of Commerce and Trade Robert Skunda; six other state officials; three security officers; and 18 business representatives, who paid their own way.
Allen arrived back in Richmond on the state jet about 6:30 p.m.
Allen said the business announcements that were made while he was overseas were just the beginning of the benefits Virginia will reap from the trip.
``Let me tell you, there were many other leads and opportunities that will be coming from this trade mission,'' Allen said.
Allen said it was important for him to personally consummate the deals, which he had been negotiating for weeks or months.
Initial reaction to the trip from legislators was positive.
``Certainly, anytime you can bring businesses to Virginia and create new employment, it's worthwhile,'' said Sen. Elmo Cross, D-Hanover County, chairman of a Senate subcommittee on economic development.
Another member of the subcommittee, Republican Sen. Walter Stosch of Richmond, agreed.
``From what I read and understand, it was a trip of great accomplishment in terms of looking for economic development opportunities,'' Stosch said. ``So I expect it will pay big dividends.''
During the trip, Allen announced:
Muhlbauer High Tech International, based in Roding, Germany, will invest $20 million over the next five years in Virginia. The company makes ``smart cards,'' such as prepaid telephone cards and bank debit and credit cards. The operation will employ 150 workers.
Boehringer Ingelheim of Frankfurt, Germany, will invest $17.2 million in expansion of its chemical plant in Petersburg.
The North American Logistics Center of FAG Bearings Corp., a subsidiary of Schweinfurt, Germany-based FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafer, will relocate from Stamford, Conn., to Suffolk. The company will invest $3.5 million and create 25 jobs.
Tom-Wat Inc., a division of Fine Art Developments plc of Bradford, England, will open a warehouse and distribution facility in Suffolk. The distributor of greeting cards, educational toys, recreational equipment and fund-raising supplies will invest $500,000 and employ 47 people.
Another highlight of the trip was the relocation of the state Department of Economic Development's trade office from Brussels, Belgium, to Frankfurt.
by CNB